New WCCW superintendent excited for new opportunity
Dona Zavislan, the Washington Corrections Center for Women’s new superintendent, has a passion for women involved in the criminal justice system.
A native of Colorado, Zavislan retired from the Colorado Department of Corrections in 2014 with 25 years of service. She followed her adult daughter, Claire, to the Pacific Northwest and decided she had more to do in criminal justice, a field she finds personally rewarding and intriguing. She made clear that she is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve at WCCW.
“WCCW has some of the most committed, professional staff I have had the good fortune to work alongside,” she said. “We have programs that make a difference and a fantastic group of dedicated volunteers ensure their success in preparing our inmates to return successfully and productively to society upon completion of their terms.”
Among these programs are the famed Prison Pet Partnership program, a course in writing, a cosmetology training program, hands-on bicycle repair activity, a horticultural enterprise, knitting and quilting activities benefiting veterans of our armed forces, and a pottery creativity project, among many activities designed to assist offenders in making a new life upon release.
WCCW has more than 700 volunteers.
“We simply couldn’t deliver the programs we have without the assistance of our volunteers,” Zavislan said. “I am amazed to see the support we enjoy from our neighbors from the Key, Gig Harbor, and Kitsap Peninsulas and beyond.”
Zavislan is committed to continuing the work of her predecessor, Jane Parnell, and other superintendents who preceded her.
“WCCW focuses on creating an environment that is responsive to the characteristics and needs of women who make up only 7.3 percent of the population in Washington Department of Corrections prisons,” she said. “WCCW and Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women in Belfair, the only state correctional facilities for women in Washington, are also focusing more on trauma informed practices. One of the characteristics of women involved in the justice system is a substantial majority have a history of trauma and abuse. We are learning more about the importance of having an environment and practices that focus on success and accountability while avoiding retraumatizing our offenders. It is crucially important that we do no harm.”
WADOC is one of the more progressive departments in the United States, one of the reasons Zavislan decided to continue working in this field in Washington.
“I am especially pleased to see a growing focus nationwide on the issue of mass incarceration and a recognition that we have work to do,” she said. “In addition to looking at who really belongs in a prison facility, we must ensure we prepare for affordable housing, living wage jobs and community-based programs for persons with mental health and substance abuse treatment needs. In many ways our criminal justice system has become part of the social safety net for many of our citizens.”
In addition to 25 years with CDOC, Zavislan has four years of experience as an officer in the United States Air Force. She credits her Air Force experience and training with opening her mind to alternative ways of viewing challenges and recognizing that it is the staff at every level who accomplish the work.
“The role of the leader is to ensure staff understand the mission and have the support, training, and tools they need to get the work done well,” she explained.
Zavislan is enjoying her relocation to the Pacific Northwest.
“I am thrilled to be here and have this amazing opportunity,” she said. “I am finding the area breathtaking and the local people supportive.”
“I believe our professionals working in criminal justice perform critically important work. We protect the public while preparing those sentenced to our supervision for successful release and existence as productive citizens,” Zavislan added.
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 3:08 PM with the headline "New WCCW superintendent excited for new opportunity."