CONNELL -- About 257 volunteers at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center were honored recently for their work.
More than 90 percent of those volunteers provide religious services or programs, said prison officials. Others help with activities and provide money management and parenting classes.
More than 5,000 hours of unpaid volunteer hours were logged this year.
"Volunteers are indispensable to the ... Coyote Ridge Corrections Center ...," said David Bailey, associate superintendent. "Not only in the overall re-entry process as they prepare and return to their communities but during the time they are incarcerated."
Those interested in volunteering may contact Maggie Edler at mjedler@docl.wa.gov or 509-543-5906.
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Prison reform
Prison reform
In response to the Nov. 30 article, "Some cuts at Walla Walla to be felt at Coyote Ridge." When the Department of Corrections readily volunteers information to you -- the public -- via the media, why does the investigative part of reporting always fall by the wayside? Are there no more boundary lines, financial or otherwise, the media at large is unwilling to let the DOC giant cross, all under the color of "budget crisis?"
If you're wondering why the DOC has run out of money, I suggest you read Senate Bill 6157, a "$30 million prison reform package," and Senate Bill 5525 "voucher" program. Both are bureaucratic "Band-Aid" fixes to further thwart, stifle and delay what the DOC, the appellate courts and Legislature continually conspire to hold back a remedy for.
The disease? For over two decades now, if a prisoner cannot provide a DOC-approved release plan and address, DOC ignores the court's order to release a prisoner into his/her community custody, and it is doing so solely by administrative/executive
Some cuts at state prison
to be felt at Coyote Ridge
Some cuts at state prison
to be felt at Coyote Ridge
The Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell seemed like a safe haven to some state prison workers who were displaced with recent prison closures and budget cuts.
But those same workers may be the ones to lose their jobs as the state Department of Corrections cuts staff at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
The penitentiary's Old Main facility is shifting from medium-security to minimum-security beds, which means the loss of about 140 jobs, said Dan Pacholke, the state's director of prisons.
Tri-City man teaches life through poetry
Tri-City man teaches life through poetry
Alexis Holcomb's body tensed up as she stared at the poem she was about to read into the large, black microphone.
The 17-year-old River's Edge High School junior is admittedly "super shy," but Alexis said she is becoming more confident, thanks to Kennewick poet Jordan Chaney.
After all, Chaney tells students, "When you are freaking out, it is not polite to your audience."
Former Coyote Ridge inmate charged in '09 attack on cellmate
Former Coyote Ridge inmate charged in '09 attack on cellmate
The family of a Pasco man near death after a June 2009 beating at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center was overjoyed Friday to learn his cellmate has finally been charged with attempted murder.
"Praise the Lord," Laurie Ingram said repeatedly. Her family's prayers were answered now that Kenneth Smith will be held responsible for the attack on her brother inside the Connell prison.
"We've been waiting for this. Oh, my brother is going to be so happy," said Ingram, who had hoped for Franklin County prosecutors to give her the official word.
Man gets prison sentence in vending machine vandalism
Man gets prison sentence in vending machine vandalism
KENNEWICK -- A career criminal is going to prison for nearly two years for damaging vending machines at 11 Benton County hotels and stealing the cash and coins.
Donald Edward Ladd Jr., 46, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft and second-degree malicious mischief. A third charge for second-degree burglary was dismissed.
According to court documents, Ladd and his co-defendant, Craig Steven Ellingson, were captured on security video in June 2010 entering the vending machine room at the Super 8 Motel on Columbia Center Boulevard in Kennewick.
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