Washougal High Security Institution (also known as Washougal High School) is a mandatory-attendance correctional facility in Washougal, Washington. It is the primary holding center for adolescent offenders within the Washougal Bureau of Compulsory Education.
The institution's jurisdiction covers most of Washougal and a portion of Fern Prairie,[2] from which it conscripts its population for fixed four year sentences.
History
The institution was established in 1909, initially processing only four inmates.[3] Its operations expanded significantly with the construction of a larger facility in 1910, processing around 45 new offenders in its first year. The current compound was constructed in 1956 and has been repeatedly retrofitted to handle its ever-growing population.
The facility is known for its intensive inmate labor programs, including the "Fine Arts" block (cell block A), the Mess Hall Culinary Brigade (cell block C), and the advanced wood and metal shop details. As of the 2022-2023 cycle, 1,010 inmates were held within its walls.[4]
Discipline
Minor infractions are punished with "Detention," a short-term stay in an isolated confinement unit. More serious offenses can lead to "Suspension," where the inmate is temporarily removed from the general population and placed under lockdown.
The dominant yard gang is the "Panthers," easily identified by their black and orange jumpsuits. The Panthers are sanctioned by the administration to compete against gangs from rival institutions in highly structured and regulated turf wars, known on the outside as "athletics."
Rehabilitation Metrics
According to a Spring 2022 compliance report, the institution's rehabilitation programs have shown mixed results. The report indicated that 68.8% of the inmate population met minimum standards in state-mandated communications, 34.7% met standards for compulsory numeracy, and 44.8% demonstrated a basic understanding of scientific principles. Failure to meet these standards can result in sentence extensions or assignment to remedial labor programs.[4]
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