Women’s History Month: Representation in Corrections

For #WomensHistoryMonth, the Washington State Department of Corrections interviewed two female corrections employees about the challenges women can face in the corrections field and advantages women bring to corrections.

A First Responder for the Heart and Soul: DOC Employee Launches Non-profit Organization to Train Chaplains for Wilderness

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on The Washington State Department of Corrections’ website. By Rachel Friederich OLYMPIA, Washington—As an avid mountaineer and volunteer police chaplain, Katjarina Hurt knows firsthand the mental and emotional toll frequent exposure to trauma can have on first responders. In urban settings, there is usually a chaplain, a staff…

Preserving Sacred Traditions During a Pandemic

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, state agencies have had to adapt and figure out new ways of conducting business with minimal contact. With a few modifications, one contract employee at a women’s prison in Belfair has been able to continue culturally-informed programming for incarcerated members of the Native community. Red about JoySky Caudill’s…

Trailblazing for Women's Equity on and off the Court

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State Department of Corrections’ website. Story and photos by Rachel Friederich, Washington State Department of Corrections GIG HARBOR – “When our powers combine, we change lives.” Those are the words displayed above Corrections Specialist Lynne Newark’s computer. She repeats the words to participants in her cognitive…

Women Who Make a Difference: Kathleen Glennon

When Department of Corrections classification counselor, Kathleen Glennon is not improving the lives of incarcerated individuals, she’s improving the lives of people in the community in the Dockyard Derby Dames Roller Derby team in Tacoma. Part of the money raised from bouts goes to charity.  Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State…

How to Make 'Take Your Child to Work Day' a Success

By Jane Chapman, Department of Licensing  Representative & ICSEW Vice Chair Governor Inslee has proclaimed April 25, 2019 as this year’s “Take Your Child Work Day” for state agencies. It’s recognized nationally on the fourth Thursday of April each year. The annual event is an educational program in the U.S. and Canada where parents take…