For years there weren’t events at this prison. Family visits, and the symphony, are back
Holiday classics lifted spirits Tuesday night at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.
The Seattle Symphony returned to the Washington State Department of Corrections women’s prison in the Gig Harbor area to spread some holiday cheer.
They do free concerts throughout the Puget Sound at neighborhood venues, schools and prisons.
“These concerts aim to increase access to live performances and to bring people together to connect with their community,” Jeremy Jolley, senior director of education and community engagement for the symphony, told the Gateway Tuesday night.
The past three years, due to COVID-19, event programs weren’t allowed at the facility, Charlotte Headley, associate superintendent for the Washington Department of Corrections, told the Gateway.
“The Seattle Symphony has been coming to perform at the women’s prison since 2015,” Headley said Tuesday night.
The prison resumed activities as of Dec. 1, allowing the Seattle Symphony to return.
“We’re really excited to welcome them back,” Headley said.
Seattle Symphony concerts at prisons began at the Monroe Correctional Facility, after a one of the musicians in the symphony started performing there with his wife, Jolley said.
The symphony expanded their community concerts into other local prisons, including the WCCW.
“Being able to come back here and play for the women here is a meaningful experience for everyone involved,” Jolley said. “It’s a time we can bring some joy.”
Five symphony members performed “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Feliz Navidad” and other holiday songs for the women incarcerated at the WCCW, who enjoyed hot chocolate and apple cider.
In between songs, the musicians introduced themselves and told the women about their instruments. Jeffery Barker was on the flute, Winnie Lai was on the oboe, John Turman played the horn, Kirpas Mazeika played the bassoon, and Eric Jacobs was on the clarinet.
At the end of the performance, the women thanked the musicians and asked questions.
“Thank you for coming and playing with so much enthusiasm,” Tatiana Baker said from the audience.
Baker has attended the holiday concert every year it’s been held since 2017, she told the Gateway.
“It’s nice to have events like this because holidays are really hard here,” Laycee David told the Gateway Tuesday night. “Events like this make it a little easier. It brings some joy to everybody.”
When the prison wasn’t allowed to hold events, it was depressing, David said.
Baker also said that it was hard.
“We barred it and still are,” Baker said, when asked about the years without events and physical contact. “The long-term effects are still here.”
Being incarcerated means living with chronic stress, she said, and COVID compounded that.
“So hearing holiday music matters to me,” Baker said.
Former Washington State Senator Jeannie Darnielle attended the concert.
“Spirits are up with the return of these events,” Darnielle told the Gateway.
The staff at WCCW will also be going around the facility Christmas caroling on Dec. 16, Melissa Johnson, public information officer for the WCCW, told the Gateway.
Three years without events
“Tonight was a time to enjoy some recreation and music,” Headley told the Gateway.
During the pandemic, activities were very limited and women were confined to their cells most of the time, she said.
While COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory for all of the prison staff, they’re optional for the women incarcerated at the WCCW.
43 percent of the women incarcerated at WCCW are vaccinated, Chris Wright, communications director for the Washington State Department of Corrections, told the Gateway Friday.
With programs back on the schedule, Headley said the difference in the demeanor of the women is visible.
“We’re really trying to get in the spirit and reconnect with the community after the last few years,” Headley said. “It’s incredibly generous for the symphony to come and visit us. The women are able to sit, relax and listen to the music.”
Family visitation is also now completely open.
“We’re very happy to share we are welcoming our extended family visitation opportunities in an unrestricted way,” Headley said.
Before this month, visitation was very limited, she said.
“We’re incredibly grateful to welcome the community back into the WCCW,” Headley said. “The women are needing the connection with community resources, education and programming for their own enrichment. I know the women are very excited to welcome them as well.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
