OLYMPIA, Wash. – Women from the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) horticulture program have once again transformed the Governor’s Mansion with handmade wreaths and garlands.
This year, Alexia Devlin and Ladarion Roberts, who have earned work release, returned to participate. They were granted special permission to join the decorating crew one last time.
Buffy Henson, another formerly incarcerated woman now employed by Correctional Industries, also contributed to the project.
The WCCW horticulture program, in partnership with Olympic College, provides a one-year certified course that equips inmates with professional-grade skills. Participants earn 55 college credits, preparing them for the workforce.
Ladarion initially thought returning to help decorate was a “random, joking kind of ask.” After nearly nine years inside, she wanted to join her friends for the event despite her early release.
Her Horticulture Professor, Ed Tharp, encouraged her to request permission from work release leadership, which was granted.
