Corrections Education

The Corrections Education Navigator Program supports justice-impacted individuals in successfully accessing and completing educational opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers and community reintegration...

Open Prison Education (OPE) 
The Open Prison Education project was started to bring equitable access to learning technologies to corrections environments. Specifically...

Washington State's College in Prisons Program

Washington State’s Community and Technical Colleges provide education to incarcerated individuals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Unlocking the potential for change, the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges in Washington seeks to transform the lives of our incarcerated students by providing them access to quality education through our comprehensive prison education programs.

Research shows that incarcerated individuals who engage in our education programs are nearly 50% less likely to recidivate, making our initiatives a powerful tool for reducing recidivism and fostering long-term success.

The Corrections Education team endeavors to uphold SBCTC’s vision of leading with racial equity by navigating education pathways with individuals who have been impacted by the legal system and ensuring those individuals gain access to opportunities that will allow them to reenter their communities with increased personal capacity, long-term sustainability, deeper community integration, and upward economic mobility.

Our corrections education programs are not just about learning – they are about creating opportunities, inspiring change, and building brighter futures.

Contacts

Hanan Al-Zubaidy
Associate Director for Corrections Education
hal-zubaidy@sbctc.edu
360-704-4358

Chastity Pennington
Program Administrator for Corrections Education
cpennington@sbctc.edu
360-704-1052

Every prison in Washington provides essential adult basic education programs, delivering foundational instruction in reading, writing, math, and english language Aquisition. These programs include comprehensive GED® preparation to equip students with the qualifications needed for further education and employment opportunities.

In addition to basic education, all colleges offer the High School Plus (HS+) program, a competency-based high school diploma initiative. HS+ allows student to earn high school credits by demonstrating mastery of subjects through prior education or life experiences. This approach ensures that students can build on their existing skills and earn a diploma based on their unique educational background.  

The following is a comprehensive list of programs offered through the Community and Technical College’s at the various prison facilities. Programs will vary based on the location.

1. Adult Basic Education 
2. Auto Mechanics 
3. Auto Mechanics (I-BEST) 
4. Autobody Collision 
5. Autobody Collision (I-BEST) 
6. Business Administration 
7. Business Management 
8. Carpentry 
9. Computer Coding 
10. Computer Programming 
11. CTAP 
12. Diesel Mechanics 
13. Deisel Mechanics (I-BEST) 
14. Digital Design 
15. Direct Transfer AA 
16. Drywall, Roofing, & Siding 
17. English Language Acquisition 
18. HVAC 
19. HVAC (I-BEST) 
20. Horticulture 
21. Machining 
22. Technical Design 
23. Welding 

The benefits of prison education programs extend beyond the individuals directly involved. When our students acquire the necessary job skills and educational credentials, they are more likely to succeed in their communities after release. This success is tangible to the communities they live in.

The impact of our prison education programs is best illustrated through the success of our students. Many students that have completed our programs have gone on to secure meaningful employment, continue their education, and become active, contributing members of their communities. These success stories are a testament to the transformative power of education and the potential for positive change.

  • 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 – Olympic 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 – Olympic College
  • Washington State Penitentiary – Walla Walla Community College