Prison Life - Where People Live
Cells
Inmates have assigned rooms or cells. Typically two inmates are assigned to a room with a bunk bed. Inmates do not get to choose where they are assigned to live. They may request a cell change, but bed space and prison needs are the main concerns. Roommates are chosen by staff based on age, affiliation with groups (or gangs), work assignments, medical concerns, mental health issues, protection issues, history of violent behavior, and space availability. Not all of these apply to every person, but they are possible considerations. If an inmate does not get along with their assigned roommate, they should speak with a counselor or unit supervisor to explore other housing options.
Prisons
An inmate's prison placement is determined by their classification. Classification is determined using a tool that measures their progress, adjustment, behavior, and programming throughout their incarceration. The goal of the classification system is to place the inmate in the least restrictive custody level designation while providing for the safety of the public, staff and inmates.
This scoring system is used as a basis to evaluate inmates’ risks to the community, staff and other offenders, visitors and the orderly operation of the prison. It is designed to encourage participation in work, education, treatment and vocational programming in a manner that results in movement to less restrictive custody. The system is designed to assist inmates in understanding how their conduct and program efforts affect their custody designation and facility placement assignment.
Inmates will be classified at one of the following custody levels and transferred to an appropriate facility:
Security Level 4 - Close
More supervision, less freedom of movement, limits on property and programs:
- Clallam Bay Corrections Center
- Monroe Correctional Complex (Reformatory Unit)
- Washington Corrections Center for Women
- Washington State Penitentiary
Security Level 3 - Medium and Minimum 3
Less supervision, more freedom of movement, more program opportunities:
- Airway Heights Corrections Center
- Monroe Correctional Complex
- Stafford Creek Corrections Center
- Washington Corrections Center (Training Center)
- Washington Corrections Center for Women
- Washington State Penitentiary
Security Level 2 - Minimum 2 or Minimum “P”
Within four years to release, inmates can participate in community work programs:
- Airway Heights Corrections Center
- Cedar Creek Corrections Center
- Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
- Larch Corrections Center
- Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women
- Monroe Correctional Complex
- Olympic Corrections Center
- Washington State Penitentiary
- Washington Corrections Center for Women, Minimum Security Compound
Security Level 1 - Minimum 1
Partial confinement, supervised outings, average stay is four months:
- Various work release facilities throughout the state.
Work Release
Work release provides a bridge between prison and life outside of prison. It represents an opportunity for inmates with six months or less left in prison to gradually adjust to community life. It provides an opportunity for the Department and the community to monitor that adjustment and ensure the inmate is establishing the necessary positive contacts and resources in the community while still involved in the structured environment of work release.
Work release allows monitored access to the community to:
- Find employment
- Re-establish family ties and renew family support
- Pay legal financial obligations to the court and/or victims
- Pay for part of the cost of their incarceration
- Save money necessary to begin again
Segregation
An inmate may be segregated (separated) from the general population and assigned to an administrative segregation or intensive management unit when his or her presence in the general population would create any of the following conditions:
- A serious threat to the safety of staff, visitors or other offenders
- A serious threat to their own safety
- The probability of an escape
- A serious threat to the orderly operation of the prison
How long an inmate will be in segregation depends upon the reason they were placed in segregation. Inmates in segregation are provided regular reviews to determine an appropriate release date.

