Community Restitution and Prison Work Crews Help with Snowstorm Recovery

Airway Heights Corrections Center Work Crew clearing snow from sidewalk in Cheney

Department of Corrections Community Restitution and Prison Work Crews provided valuable assistance to Eastern Washington communities struggling to dig out from the series of snowstorms that hit the region in late January and early February.

The DOC-supervised offender crews cleared snow from sidewalks, rooftops and fire hydrants in Airway Heights, Cheney, and Medical Lake. Offenders also cleared snow from around abandoned vehicles so they could be towed.

Community Restitution Crews in Spokane and Prison Work Crews from Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women shoveled snow from around the homes of numerous elderly or disabled citizens, allowing them to attend doctor’s appointments, get medical care, and receive mail.

In a letter to the Editor at The Spokesman Review regarding DOC, Linda McClain of the Coalition of Responsible Disabled praised the efforts of the community restitution crews. “DOC was readily available to shovel walkways, ramps, and driveways in order to provide the needed access for folks to get out and fully participate in their daily responsibilities,” McClain said. “We are grateful to have such a program that provides a much-needed service on behalf of people with disabilities.”

As a result of efforts by Prison Work Crews from Airway Heights Corrections Center, two State Parks buildings at Mount Spokane were saved from possible collapse due to the several feet of heavy, wet, snow that had accumulated on the rooftops. The rescued buildings included a sand shed, which is a large building that holds sand used on roads during the winter months, and a shop used for repairing park equipment. Additionally, the crews cleared snow from around propane tanks, a pump house, and the Park Ranger’s house.

Both Community Restitution and Prison Work Crews routinely perform valuable services for communities across the state.  These crews are deployed through contracts with federal, state, county, city and community non-profit groups. Offenders selected to participate on crews go through a strict review process to ensure suitable offenders are assigned to crews.

Offenders participating on these crews are transported to and from the work site by trained Correctional Officers who provide direct supervision and are responsible for ensuring continuous safety and security of the crew and community.

Offender is First to Graduate from GED Program in Cowlitz County

Lower Columbia College student Robert Neily-Richey

The general education diploma (GED) that Robert Neily-Richey earned while on community supervision provided him with valuable job skills that will come in handy as he takes on other new responsibilities in his life--including a marriage and a first child.

The 25-year-old is the first to receive his GED from Lower Columbia College (LCC) since it opened to offenders last year. He earned it in three months and is now enrolled in the college’s Auto Technology Program. He’s getting married in March and the son, to be named Nathan Leland Neily-Richey, is scheduled to arrive in May.

“This is a really great program for people who want to stick with it,” said Neily-Richey. “My advice to other offenders is for them to buckle down and do it because anyone who doesn’t have a GED, needs one.”

LCC, in partnership with DOC, has made it possible for offenders from Peninsula Work Release and those on active supervision in Cowlitz County to receive their GED and better their chances for a successful re-entry.

The GED course, taught by LCC Instructor Gail Berg, has been offered at DOC’s Longview Central Office for approximately one year. Twelve offenders or less are enrolled in the program each quarter.  

“It’s a wholesome place to be and a lot of students recognize that—it’s similar to a small family,” said Berg. “The program is also an outlet to talk about life situations and we try to lower barriers so offenders will continue to show up for class.”

Community Corrections Officer Anabella Conde sanctioned Neily-Richey to enroll in the GED program in September 2007. With the guidance and encouragement of Neily-Richey's Day Reporting Community Corrections Officers, Conde and David Eder, he successfully completed the GED program and received his diploma on Dec. 5, 2007.

“Once Robert set his mind on getting the program finished, he was so driven,” said Berg. “The program became very important in his life and we are both very proud of his accomplishments.”

Neily-Richey is planning on receiving his Associate of Applied Science Degree in 18 months from LCC.  He explained he grew up around cars and always has been interested in pursuing an auto body repair career.
Offenders must want an education in order to enroll in the GED program. The program has no time limits so students can learn at their own pace.

The GED program is offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Longview Central Office and consists of adult basic education courses, such as reading, writing, and math. Students must pass five nationally standardized tests in order to receive their diplomas. 

New Ridesharing Program Helps Penitentiary Employees Get to and from the Job

In the past, ridesharing may not have been all that popular in Walla Walla, but as gas prices rise, it’s quickly catching on and providing an additional incentive for people to work at the Department of Corrections. 

A new rideshare program at the Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) is giving employees a more earth-friendly commuting option and is helping them save money on fuel and car maintenance. Making it less expensive to get to and from work is also helping DOC’s efforts to recruit more corrections staff. 

The ridesharing program has just entered its second month and is already very popular with employees. About 45 WSP staff members participated the first month. More are expected to join as vans from county transit companies become available.

“We wanted to have a rideshare to help staff save money,” says Ross Hamann, Human Resources Consultant and rideshare coordinator for WSP. “We are also finding that new DOC recruits are interested in working with us because this program is in place. Ultimately, this may help WSP employ a stronger and more consistent workforce.”

As WSP expands to add more beds, the recruitment effort is also expanding beyond the Walla Walla city limits. Employees now commute from as far away as the Tri-Cities to their jobs at WSP. To help with some of the costs that come with a commuter work force such as gas bills, vehicle maintenance, and insurance, the Human Resources Department at the prison implemented a Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) plan, commonly called rideshare.

Hamann participates in the program and says he saved more than $100 in fuel last month. He hopes other employees and communities will participate in Commute Trip Reduction so they can see the financial benefits first hand.

“Every little bit helps,” says Hamann, “Especially when gas is $3.20 a gallon.”

Other DOC worksites have active participation in CTR programs. Headquarters in Tumwater has nearly 100 employees who vanpool, carpool, walk or ride bikes to work. Barbara Monohan, Office Manager at the Seattle Metro office, says about 90 percent of employees at the building take part in the flex pass program offered through CTR. She also says the program acts as an incentive for perspective employees.

“Offering the CTR passes definitely helped our building with recruiting,” says Monohan. “Parking is difficult to find in Downtown Seattle, and this program all but eliminates the parking-spot-headaches for our staff.”

Bellingham and RAP Lincoln Work Releases Awarded Re-Accreditation from ACA

Bellingham and RAP/Lincoln Work Releases have met rigorous standards set by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and received ACA re-accreditation Jan. 2008.

“Achieving accreditation is a difficult, but necessary goal that creates improvements within the facilities and consequently improves staff and offender safety,” said Field Administrator Steven Johnson.

The re-accreditation process takes place every three years and evaluates facility operations against recognized national standards. Successful accreditation means that the facilities meet national standards for staff training, fiscal controls, safety procedures, food service, sanitation, offender discipline rules, and other performance categories. 

There are 252 nationally agreed upon ACA standards set by correctional administrators and managers across the country. Of these 252 standards, 35 are mandatory and must be met in order to receive ACA accreditation. RAP/Lincoln and Bellingham Work Release facilities received almost 100 percent on non-mandatory standards and received perfect scores on mandatory standards.

ACA accreditation helps ensure that facilities use the most effective correctional practices and provide safe environments for the public, staff, and offenders.

“All staff at the facilities are to be complimented for this achievement,” said Community Corrections Administrator Anne Fiala. “ACA accreditation requires team work and living the standards day in and day out. It’s not just a paperwork process, but making the services we provide the best they can be every day.”

Daniels and Leftridge Byrd Take on New DOC Leadership Roles

Karen Daniels is the new head of DOC’s Community Corrections Division.

Prior to her appointment by Secretary Eldon Vail, Daniels served as DOC’s Director of Operations in the Health Services Department. She previously served as Chief Deputy in the Corrections Bureau of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Daniels will direct DOC’s effort to supervise offenders in the community while keeping the public safe. She will oversee more than 1,400 DOC employees responsible for supervising nearly 29,000 offenders in the communities across the state.

The former head of the Community Corrections Division, Mary Leftridge Byrd, will now lead a new Offender Treatment and Re-entry Programs Division within DOC.

Leftridge Byrd will be responsible for overseeing a variety of prison and community programs that are aimed at disrupting the cycle of repeated criminal behavior. Those programs include offender re-entry, education, chemical-dependency treatment, sex-offender treatment, and family.

Secretary Vail said the changes will be implemented without the need for additional resources.