Washington State Penitentiary

1313 North 13th Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362

(509) 525-3610
[Driving Directions] [Aerial Photo]

Notice: WSP Operational Status –NORMAL

Superintendent: Stephen D. Sinclair

Facility at a Glance

Superintendent: Stephen D. Sinclair
Custody Level: IMU, Close, and Minimum
Operating Capacity: 1,968 offenders
Year Opened: 1886

Visiting Information

Visit the Friends and Family website for great information including how to prepare for visiting with children.

Visiting Guidelines
West Complex Visiting Schedule | East Complex Minimum Security Schedule
Visitor’s Questionnaire and Parent⁄Guardian consent forms
2012 Family Events Calendar

Programs

Educational and Offender Change programs:	Work and Vocational Programs:
Auto body Information Technology Building Maintenance Technology Bookkeeping Carpentry Diesel Mechanics Graphic Design Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Welding	Getting it Right WSP Correctional Industries Class 2 jobs include: License Plates, Metal Shop, Laundry, Business Office, Textile Shop, Sign Shop, Field Crops, Recycle, Pheasant Program, Transportation/Warehouse

Community Involvement

Volunteers are involved in religious programs, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, assisting Veterans with military issues, assisting offender families with children mentoring programs, and special programs (i.e., dental hygienist, photographer, etc.) that are available to the offender population and their families.

Guest sport teams, choirs, musical groups, guest speakers/lecturers, and professional groups have held programs for the offender population. There are also groups that assist offenders in the process of re–integrating back into society. Some of the local motels have gift certificates available to assist families with their motel rate, if they need to spend a night at Walla Walla, either before or after a regularly scheduled visit.

Washington State Penitentiary is active in many other programs that support the local community including involvement in Habitat for Humanity, a Canine Training Program, Teddy Bear Program, Native American Regalia Program and the STAR Project.

The Family Advisory Committee at Washington State Penitentiary was establish to advise the facility on opportunites to strengthen the offender family and enhance successful re–entry to community and family.

Local Family Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes for February 2012. We will look forward to our next Local Family Council meeting on April 7, 2012.

Facility History

In 1883, the Territorial Governor authorized the selection of a suitable site for a penitentiary. In 1885, Walla Walla was chosen. Construction began in 1886 using bricks manufactured in nearby Dixie from the fine clay beds there. To provide needed jobs for the prisoners, a one–story jute mill for the manufacture of sacks was built in 1892. Then in 1921, the jute mill was transformed into a license–plate factory, which continues to operate today producing 2.1 million plates annually. ... read more

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