WALLA WALLA – An inmate is suspected of setting fire to machinery at the Washington State Penitentiary on Wednesday, January 11.
According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), the fire destroyed one of the license plate production machines, causing smoke to fill the building.
Correctional officers quickly extinguished the fire on the blanking machine. No injuries were reported.
DOC said in a release that a suspect has been identified, and an investigation is underway.
For over a century, the penitentiary has been the sole license plate producer for Washington.
Recent delays in plate acquisition were due to outdated equipment and staffing issues. To address this, production moved to a medium-security unit, and new machines were purchased.
One of these new machines was destroyed in the fire, but a replacement has already been ordered, the release said.
Vehicle owners should not expect delays in receiving new plates, DOC added.
