McNeil Island Corrections Center

McNeil Island Corrections Center

PO Box 88900
Steilacoom, WA 98388

(253) 588-5281
[Driving Directions] [Aerial Photo]

Notice:   Getting to the dock: You can drive (paid parking in the area), or take the shuttle bus (free parking at the bus depot) then you can ride the ferry to/from the island

Superintendent: Ron Van Boening

Facility at a Glance

Superintendent: Ron Van Boening
Custody Level: Medium
Operating Capacity: 853 offenders
Year Opened: 1875

Visiting Information

Visiting Guidelines and Schedule|Weekend Schedule
Visiting Form
Family Events Calendar

Programs

Educational and Offender Change programs:

Work and Vocational Programs:

  • Basic Education
  • GED
  • Vocational - IT/Computer Skills
  • Anger Management
  • Correctional Industries programs include:
    • Food Service
    • Maintenance
    • Fire Crew
    • Barbers
    • Recreation Aides
    • Teacher's Aides
    • Laundry
    • Carpentry
    • Welding

Community Involvement

Ongoing community partnerships and projects include the Angel Bear Program, Bicycle Project, Chambers of Commerce, Clothing Donations, Community Advisory Board, Community Tours, Giving Tree Project, Hats and Scarves Program, Read to Me Daddy Program, Toys for Tots Project and the Family Fatherhood Program. Additionally, more than 700 volunteers provide a variety of quality programs and services, including religious, self-help, 12-step, recreation and educational programs.

Facility History

In 1976, the U.S. government made a decision to close the federal Penitentiary that had operated on McNeil Island since 1875. The state of Washington, which needed more offender bed space, initiated efforts to take control of the prison. In 1981, the state signed a lease agreement allowing it to use the Penitentiary, and later that year the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) moved the first state offenders into the newly renamed McNeil Island Corrections Center. In 1984, the island was officially deeded to the state of Washington. A new deed to McNeil was issued in 1996 from the Department of Justice. ...read more