> Programs > Programs By Facility > Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)

Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)

Hosts one of Washington State’s most extensive Sustainability in Prisons Project programs, integrating environmental stewardship with vocational training and community service. The facility features large-scale gardens—including a unique Diversity Garden—pollinator habitat, beekeeping, composting, and waste sorting that dramatically reduce waste and produce fresh food for kitchens and donation. Incarcerated technicians refurbish computers for schools, train service dogs, and create valuable compost and firewood for local partners. AHCC also supports innovative practices like worm farming.

Program Partners Highlights

DOC led programs

Nature Imagery

Program Highlights:

Incarcerated individuals in maximum security can opt to watch nature imagery; also offered by mental health staff during times of mental distress

Partners:

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SPP led programs

Nature Imagery

Program Highlights:

Incarcerated individuals in maximum security can opt to watch nature imagery; also offered by mental health staff during times of mental distress

Partners:

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SPP led programs

Beekeeping

Highlights – December 2024

In 2024, 3 healthy hives taken care of by incarcerated journeyman level beekeepers

Partners:

West Plains Beekeepers Association, WASBA

DOC led programs

Diversity Garden

Highlights – December 2024

Rows of native herbs (lavender, sage, and sweet grass) blessed by local Native American elder to be used in Native American spiritual services

Partners:

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SPP led programs

Gardens: Minimum

Program Highlights:

Grew and donated over 600 pumpkins to the community

Partners:

Second Harvest Food Bank, Master Gardeners

SPP led programs

Flower gardens

Program Highlights:

Throughout the prison for human and wildlife well-being

Partners:

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DOC led programs

Gardens: Main

Program Highlights:

5,911 pounds of produce was grown and used in the facility’s kitchen or donated

Partners:

Master Gardeners

DOC led programs

Pollinator forage & habitat

Program Highlights:

Pollinator-friendly plantings throughout the main & minimum areas: flowers, herbs, pussy willow. Large woody debris (log!) and shrubby habitat in pond area

Partners:

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SPP led programs

Sustainable Business Solutions

Highlights – December 2024

Team of four supporting sustainability programs with data tracking and mapping (produce grown, # from garden to kitchen, soil types)

Partners:

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DOC led programs

Large-scale composting

Program Highlights:

In 2024, AHCC increased the size of their composting piles and created around 40 cubic yards of compost to use within the facility.

Partners:

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SPP led programs

Waste sorting & recycling

Program Highlights:

Technicians receive comprehensive on-the-job training provided by DOC staff. AHCC’s

Partners:

Waste Management

DOC led programs

Worm farm: Minimum

Highlights – December 2024

In AHCC’s greenhouse’s main garden, they use worm composting to manage waste. In 2024, they composted 1,800 pounds of food waste from the kitchen. Additionally, they produced 700 gallons of worm tea, which they used to provide nutrition to all the gardens at AHCC. Currently, they have two large worm bins, each with two sides.

Partners:

Master Composters

SPP led programs

Computers 4 Kids

Program Highlights:

Refurbished 24,843 PCs, laptops, and monitors in 2024, plus 13,544 to surplus. Technicians refurbished an additional 1,932 pieces of equipment were donated to local schools. Incarcerated technicians learn basic diagnostics and can test for certification, plus learn office skills (Excel, Access) and shipping skills (e.g., forklift experience).

Partners:

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, WA Department of Enterprise Services

 

DOC led programs

Pawsitive dog training – prison program

Program Highlights:

This program restarted in 2024. Since then, they have graduated 13 dogs from two sessions and more to come!

Partners:

Diamonds in the Ruff, SpokAnimal, Spokane Humane Society

 

DOC led programs

Firewood donation

Highlights – December 2024

Crews prepared approximately 200 cords to deliver to SNAP clients in 2024. DNR provides wildland fire trainings and prison staff provide firewood and chipper trainingsIn 2024, 3 healthy hives taken care of by incarcerated journeyman level beekeepers

Partners:

SNAP Spokane

 


“What does science mean to me? Science is the study of the world around us… I would not want to experience life without science.”

Morris Talaga

Program Participant

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“I never did well in school and my skills were more on the manual labor side. While I was incarcerated at Cedar Creek Correction Center in 2015 thru…”

Darin Armstrong

Former SPP conservation technician

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