Spokane prison gives inmates a voice

Associated Press

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — When inmates at the Airway Heights Corrections Center asked for premium cable television, more telephone time and an outdoor handball court, the answer was "no."

But many inmates felt like winners anyway.

That’s because of a government system within the prison in which 12 staff members and seven inmates meet each month to address issues.

The inmates are known as tier representatives, and each represents between 200 and 250 inmates. The system is credited with reducing violence in the 10-year-old prison.

Allowing the 2,112 inmates to elect leaders to represent them before administrators is part of a new prison philosophy known as "direct supervision."

"This would be a lot more volatile place to work without this system," said James Key, a program manager at Airway Heights.

"This place has changed my way of thinking," said inmate James Roberts, 31, a tier representative who is in the last four years of a sentence for second-degree murder.

"I’m learning to communicate, and they’ve got an open-door policy here which allows us to do that," Roberts said. "Doing this also gives us a better understanding how this place works."

Airway Heights corrections unit supervisor Rich Hewson likes the system.

"If you can’t rely on communication, then you have to rely on more authority," he said.

Airway Heights is the third-largest prison in the state, but has a low number of reported aggravated assaults.

In 2001, there were 14 reports of aggravated assaults at Airway Heights, the state Department of Corrections said. The state Corrections Center in Shelton, with roughly 400 fewer inmates, had nearly double that number of assaults.

Direct supervision was created by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the early 1970s for use in short-term jails.

Direct supervision prisons depend less on electronic surveillance, motor-driven locks and barred windows. Fewer staffers are needed because officers don’t stay isolated at control booths.

At Airway Heights, officers work surrounded by inmates. They talk to them frequently. At a meeting last week, it was common for the 12 staff members and seven inmate representatives to refer to one another as "mister."

Key said the public should not be left with the impression that Airway Heights is soft.

"Trust me, the pendulum can go the other way if it has to," Key said. "It all depends on their behavior."

Though most requests are denied, prison officials at least give inmates specific reasons.

The tier representatives say they have developed a greater sense of responsibility in their roles.

"A lot of people come to me, and I’ve got to be able to represent their concerns as best as I can," said inmate Jaimie Veach.

Veach, 38, convicted of being a felon in possession of a gun and delivering methamphetamine, said he’s been elected to be a tier representative since 2000.

Richard Marks, 46, who was convicted of possession of methamphetamine, said he’s learned to be more responsible in his two years as an inmate representative.

Roberts said he hopes the general public understands that even prison inmates deserve a certain level of rights.

"Some might say we don’t deserve what little we do have," Roberts said. "Well, the punishment here is loss of freedom. But here, we have incentive to stay positive."

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.