Washington’s College in Prisons Program
Benefiting All Citizens
Most of the men and women entering correctional facilities lack the literacy and employment skills needed to succeed in our communities upon release. Washington state's community and technical colleges teach people in prison so they reenter society ready to contribute.
Washington’s College in Prisons programs benefit all citizens of Washington state:
- Justice Involved Individuals (formerly known as "Offenders") who are provided opportunities to gain job skills are much more likely to be successful in the community upon release. A successful Individual contributes to the community by working, paying taxes, making restitution payments, and supporting other family members.
- Educated Justice Involved Individuals are statistically less likely to commit additional crimes upon release. There is a direct correlation between education level and recidivism: the higher the education level, the lower the recidivism rate. A decrease in recidivism reduces long-term costs to taxpayers.
- Education programs are an integral part of the “targeted interventions and seamless services” prescribed in the state’s Offender Accountability Act. Justice Involved Individuals who attain literacy and job skills are better equipped to find and keep employment, take care of their families, and contribute to their communities.
Contact
William Durden
Director, Basic Education for Adults
wdurden@sbctc.edu
360-704-4326
Hanan Al-Zubaidy
Associate Director for Corrections Education
hal-zubaidy@sbctc.edu
360-704-4358
- Airway Heights Corrections Center – Community Colleges of Spokane
- Cedar Creek Corrections Center – Centralia College
- Clallam Bay Corrections Center – Peninsula College
- Coyote Ridge Corrections Center – Walla Walla Community College
- Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women – Tacoma Community College
- Monroe Correctional Complex – Edmonds College
- Olympic Corrections Center – Peninsula College
- Stafford Creek Corrections Center – Grays Harbor College
- Washington Corrections Center – Centralia College
- Washington Corrections Center for Women – Tacoma Community College
- Washington State Penitentiary – Walla Walla Community College
Every prison offers adult basic education programs, which provide a foundational education in reading, writing, math and English language. This includes GED® preparation programs.
Several prisons also offer High School Plus, a competency-based high school diploma program. With HS+, students can earn high school credits by proving they have mastered required subjects through past education or life experience. They then take classes to fill in the gaps and earn a high school diploma.
Job-search and anger management courses are also available at every prison.
- Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Autobody Collision and Repair
- Automotive Mechanics Technology
- Business Administration and Management
- Carpentry
- Computer Numerical Controlled Manufacturing (CNC)
- CNC Machining
- Computer Programming
- Diesel Mechanics
- Digital Media: Web and Multimedia
- Drywall, Roofing and Siding
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Horticulture
- HVAC Technology
- I-BEST Automotive*
- I-BEST Carpentry*
- I-BEST HVAC Technology
- I-BEST CNC Machining
- Pre-Apprenticeships/Construction Trades
- Technical Design and Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Welding
* Washington’s nationally recognized I-BEST (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training) program pairs basic education with hands-on job experience so students learn in real-world settings.
Reports and Resources
College in Prisons Resources
Page Manager:
clowder@sbctc.edu
Last Modified: 11/2/23, 3:28 PM
