King County Correctional Facility - Seattle
About the facility
The King County Jail, Seattle Division is located at 500 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA. The facility became operational in 1986 and currently employs over 350 correctional staff.
TO TOPDirections, Contacts
King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention
King County Correctional Facility - KCCF Seattle map (external link)
500 5th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 296-1234From north of downtown Seattle to the King County Correctional Facility:
Take I-5 Southbound to the James Street exit, turning right on James Street. Turn left on 5th Avenue. The facility's entrance is located at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and James Street. A variety of public parking facilities are located in the immediate area.From south of downtown Seattle to the King County Correctional Facility:
Take I-5 Northbound to the James Street exit, turning left on James Street. Turn left on 5th Avenue. The facility's entrance is located at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and James Street. A variety of public parking facilities are located in the immediate area.
KCCF Inmate Programs
The Programs Office & Volunteer Services involve the community during the incarceration period of an inmate in order to facilitate an opportunity for change and a greater success for the inmate when in transition from custody back to community. Programs that are available at the Seattle Division KCCF are as follows:
Volunteers & Community-Based Service Groups: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and numerous Religious Service Groups representing Christian and non-faith practices including Buddhist, Judaism, Christian Science, Jehovah Witness & Islamic Muslim Services, provide Religious Guidance, Spiritual Support, Prayer and Meditation to inmates. Programs are scheduled weekly in groups and or individually.
Educational & Literacy Services: Seattle Central Community College, Seattle Public Schools, Literacy AmeriCorps, Literacy Source, and the University of Washington Learning Service Pipeline Project, provides ABE GED / ESL / Transitions / Life Skills / Mentoring / Critical Thinking / Tutoring and GED Certification. Basic Education Classes are available to both men and women, who have not completed their high school requirements. 7 Instructors and 30 tutors are inspired to “build bridges to break down barriers”, as they commit to motivating, encouraging and supporting inmates through a process of literacy, learning, achieving and accomplishing educational outcomes. GED testing is scheduled on site 2 times a month.
Creative Writing Skills Class: This is a great program and offered to both men and women. The rules for engagement are defined and inmates agree to codes of conduct such as confidentiality, allowing everyone an opportunity to speak, respecting each other as well as the instructor, listening and sharing. Themes of pain are common as inmates reflect and allow themselves to feel their truth, express themselves and tell their stories through this creative writing skills class.
Health Education Programs – Hepatitis C and Healthy Sexuality: Providing education and information about male and female sexuality, healthy and safe sex practices, human biology, personal hygiene, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS exposure, life threatening illnesses, is the primary focus of these classes. Slide presentations, group discussions, examples, and question answer format are used to help address the issues raised in the workshops, which makes it easy for the inmates to participate and learn, in a safe and supportive learning environment.
Shanti Support Program - Psychiatric Services: This program focuses on providing emotional support and companionship to inmates in the Infirmary who are affected with HIV/Aids and / or other life threatening illnesses. The sole focus of the Shanti Volunteer is to listen and talk with inmates by creating and developing a relationship of mutual respect and trust. Patient confidentiality is an integral part of the relationship between patient and volunteer. These support services are provided weekly.
King County Public Health – MOM’s Project / Pregnant Women & Prenatal Care: Every Wednesday, a nurse and social worker from KC Public Health visit the women housed on the 9th floor and do assessments of those who are pregnant, have drug and substance abuse related issues and needing prenatal care. These women are monitored and checked weekly during their time in jail. Upon release these women are offered ongoing support services to assist them while they deal with the stresses of transitioning back to the community and preparing themselves for childbirth. King County Public Health funds this program.
Domestic Violence Support Services for Women: G.R.O.W. – Giving Real Options to Women is a non-profit agency committed to educating, informing and empowering women who are victims and survivors of domestic violence. G.R.O.W has developed a series of domestic violence related issues and topics in 8 stand alone modules, which the women may refer to individually or together as integrated sessions. As an agency, their focus has been to advocate on behalf of women and to provide information to educate and empower women to help themselves as survivors and victims of domestic violence.
Seattle Metro Women’s Teen Challenge Residential Treatment Program: This program requires a one year commitment between participant and case manager and provides substance abuse, counseling, education and housing to those women who are screened and selected. The women get 24-hr support in their transition from a life of substance abuse to one of clean and sober living. Participants must live in the home for one year, contribute to the household duties, attend weekly meetings, be employed, and be 100% drug and alcohol free (including tobacco). At the end of the one year commitment, Seattle Metro Women’s Teen Challenge continues supporting the women in transition and offer to match a graduate dollar for dollar in placing a down payment on a home. This program is intensive.
WOC (Women Out Of Corrections Program) – YWCA: This is an informational and educational based program offering resources, services, and access to job training, transitional and temporary housing, mental health referrals and educational opportunities to incarcerated women. The facilitator herself has been where these women currently are and is therefore able to connect and relate to them in their current circumstances as well as inspire them that they can choose to change and live different lives upon release.
Kundalini Yoga: Music and movement, peace and tranquility, dominate this ancient yoga practice. The men and women participate in these exercises to release and rejuvenate and allow themselves to be present within. Yoga Instructors are scheduled to teach this ancient art form.
Stress Management & Personal Empowerment: This program teaches inmates to focus on themselves by going to a safe place “inside”, and to use this safe place to emotionally self nurture. The instructor encourages inmates to share, self reflect and to become a friend to himself / herself. She stresses the importance of emotional boundaries and “personal choice” and uses exercises such as deep breathing to demonstrate how to remain calm, in control and personally empowered.
Services in the vicinity of the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF)
- King County Superior and District Courts
- Seattle Municipal Court
- The King County Sheriff’s Office
- Marriage , pet and business license services
- The Office of the King County Prosecuting Attorney
Interested in volunteering?Over 300 community volunteers provide religious services, counseling, alcohol and drug treatment support, adult basic education, GED prep, and support upon release for inmates. To volunteer, call the Program Office at (206) 296-1281.
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