Washington State Penitentiary

The Washington State Penitentiary (aka Walla Walla State Penitentiary) is a men's prison located in Walla Walla, Washington. This facility is the second largest prison in the state of Washington and can house 2,439 inmates. Washington State Penitentiary  houses minimum, medium, maximum, and close custody inmates.

This facility opened in 1886, three years before Washington became a state. It is the site of the state's death row, and executions were carried out here until the state abolished the death penalty in 2018.

Washington State Penitentiary is known as "the Walls" to the inmates, "the Penn" to locals, and has the nickname, "Concrete Mama."

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Below are the regularly scheduled visiting hours for the Washington State Penitentiary. 

East Complex (EC) 
Living Units 6, 8, 10
Visiting hours are Friday through Monday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. 
*EC living units rotate days of availability. See WSP Visit Schedule Details for which living units are accepting visitors on a given day.

West Complex (WC) 
Delta, Echo, Fox, Golf
South Complex (SC) 
BAR Units (Baker, Adams, Rainier), Victor, William
Visiting hours are daily from 10:15 am to 3:30 pm.
*WC living units rotate days of availability. See WSP Visit Schedule Details for which living units are accepting visitors on a given day.

Intensive Management Unit (IMU) 
North, South
Visiting hours are daily beginning at 1:00 pm. Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. Immediate family only. Visitation duration depends on an inmate's level.

You can avoid making unnecessary trips or being turned away by checking visit updates via Twitter at http://twitter.com/@wadocvisits.

Applying for Visitation

You must submit a visitor’s application, get approval, and be added to your inmate's visitor list before visiting. To start the approval process, fill out the online application. A separate application form is needed for visitors under the age of 18. Minors under 18 years of age may visit with a parent/guardian or an approved escort only. 

What to Bring to a Visit

Visitors may bring the following items in a clear plastic coin purse or bag: 

• Cash for the vending machines (a maximum of $20 in change, singles, and $5 bills only)
• Keys
• ID
• Medication
• Small comb or brush
• Two pairs of eyeglasses, including one pair of reading glasses

The following items are allowed for infants and toddlers and must be stored in a clear plastic bag or container: 

• Two, empty, clear, plastic bottles that can be filled with water, juice, milk, or formula 
• One, plastic, Tupperware-type child’s cup with lid 
• Two, unopened, plastic containers of formula, juice, or other infant-specific fluids
• Two, unopened, plastic containers of baby/snack food in their original packaging with one plastic baby spoon 
• Two bibs 
• Two pacifiers or teething objects 
• One non-quilted child’s blanket 
• One change of baby clothing 
• One disposable diaper per hour of the visit 
• Baby wipes in a zip lock plastic bag 

For a complete list of visiting rules at Washington State Penitentiary, click here.

Dress Code

Dress standards are necessary to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the visiting room. Visitors should wear clothing that is conservative in nature in order to maintain a respectful visiting environment and keep processing time to a minimum. 

The following guidelines apply to visitors 8 years of age and older:

• Children must wear clothing that will not reveal underwear when they crawl, spin, etc. Shorts under dresses may be appropriate. 
• Clothing will be free of reference to obscenity, alcohol, drugs, Security Threat Group (STG), violence, or sex in any form. 
• All clothing must be clean and in good repair without rips or tears. 
• Appropriate undergarments are required and will not be visible. 
• Clothing will not reveal breasts or expose undergarments, cleavage, stomach/midriff, or bare chest or back, including when arms are raised. 
• Sheer/transparent clothing is not allowed unless clothing worn beneath is not transparent and no undergarments (e.g., bra, underwear) are visible. 
• Tactical and cargo pants are not allowed but carpenter pants are acceptable. 
• Sagging of pants is not allowed. 
• Camouflage, even in small decorative patches or lettering, and bibbed attire may not be worn. 
• Outer garment shirts must have sleeves. Sleeveless garments must be worn with a sleeved outer garment for the duration of the visit. Cap sleeves are acceptable as an outer garment.
• Sweaters, blazers, and sweatshirts are permitted. 
• Hooded garments are not allowed in the visit area. 
• Shorts, dresses, skirts, capris, skorts, and slits in clothing must reach the top of the kneecap when standing. 
• Shoes, sandals, flip flops, and boots must be in good repair, free of rips or tears.
• High heels must be no more than three inches high from the heel of the visitor’s foot to the ground. 

Video Visits

Video visits are available at Washington State Penitentiary. You must be on your loved one’s approved visit list to participate. To register, contact JPAY at (866) 333-5729 or https://www.jpay.com/. 

Video Visiting hours are as follows:

West Complex (WC) 
Delta, Echo, Fox, Golf
Daily visiting hours
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

South Complex (SC) 
Victor, William
Monday through Friday 
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m

Saturday/Sunday
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

South Complex (SC) 
BAR Units (Baker, Adams, Rainier)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

East Complex 
Living Units 6, 8, 10
Monday/Friday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday/Saturday
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Staff inspects all inmate mail. Books, newspapers, and magazines must be mailed directly to your inmate by the publisher, publication supplier, or bookstore. Email and videograms are available through JPAY. To register, visit https://www.jpay.com/. 

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Pictures of Washington State Penitentiary

Careers at Washington State Penitentiary

If you are interested in a career with the Washington State Department of Corrections and would like more information about job listings at the Washington State Penitentiary, click here.