Department of Corrections

Forget license plates. Some inmates at the Airway Heights Corrections Center are training for jobs in the state's huge aerospace industry.About a dozen…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – It’s been nearly two years since Washington corrections officer Jayme Biendl was murdered on the job. But the union that represents prison guards says safety is still a major concern. The Teamsters plan to rally Thursday at the Capitol to demand safer work conditions. They also want the right to call in an arbitrator to resolve bargaining disputes. Union representative Michelle Woodrow says since August seven officers have been assaulted at three different Washington prisons. “The assaults have been significant and severe in nature and I would say that the frequency has increased.” Washington’s director of prisons responds that his agency has made “sweeping” changes to improve safety since Officer Biendl’s murder. Dan Pacholke says on any given day 1,000 Washington prison officers are now armed with pepper spray. And the agency is about to equip some frontline staff with body alarms as part of a pilot program. In addition, outgoing Governor Chris Gregoire’s budget proposal calls for some additional staff in Washington prisons. On the Web: Interest Arbitration in Washington (Office of Financial Management)

The Washington Department of Social and Health Services is reviewing how a patient was able to escape fromWestern State Hospital at Lakewood.Jonathan D.…

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:Accused Monroe Killer Was Known ThreatNorthwest Gas Prices SpikeUnion Claims Seattle School Board Knew…

Washington's oldest prison will close by April 1st, a casualty of the state's current budget crisis. McNeil Island Corrections Center's 500 inmates will…