Sustainability in Prisons Project
As a photographer, I had the honor of documenting the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP), a transformative partnership between The Evergreen State College and the Washington State Department of Corrections. SPP brings science, nature, and environmental education into prisons, fostering collaborations that conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable practices. Traveling to every prison in Washington state, I captured the powerful moments where inmates, scientists, and community partners work together to reduce the environmental and human costs of incarceration. This gallery reflects the hope, connection, and impact of SPP’s mission through my lens.
An opportunity to learn about snakes during a presentation at the Stafford Creek Correction Center in Aberdeen, Washington.
“The Washington State Penitentiary beekeeping program’s main goal is to help incarcerated individuals build skills as productive members of society, but they have many other things they want to accomplish, too. They want to educate inmates and staff about the beekeeping crisis on the west coast, and do their part to reverse the bee shortage; they want to give inmates opportunity to experience the serenity that comes with beekeeping; and—above all—teach inmates a marketable skill to have when they’re released.” - Bethany Shepler, SPP Green Track Coordinator
Violas cultivated at the Washington Correctional Center.
Emerging vegetation mats at Stafford Creek Correctional Facility.
Cedar Creek Corrections Center
I’m thrilled to share that several photos from this Sustainability in Prisons Project gallery were featured in Fluid Culture Magazine (NYC), Issue N.2. Check out the video below for a peek at the magazine spread, showcasing how these images bring SPP’s mission to life. Explore more at
