Unusual Punishment: Inside the Walla Walla Prison, 1970-1985

by Christopher Murray

Unusual Punishment details the explosive story of failed reform at one Washington State penitentiary as well as the complex, challenging, and painful path back from chaos.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

330 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2016

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lots of synonyms, mostly slang, for prison: the lockup, the penitentiary, the pen, the slammer, stir, the big house, the institution, up the river, the clink and the rock. There are lots of models for how a major adult long-term detention facility functions (ideally and in fact). The functioning of the Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla in 1970 was not at all good. This book details the steps (faltering, human, political, maddening) which brought this prison from an inhumane, uncontrollable, explosive situation to a good example of a modern policy-driven institution for adult male offenders. The author has the peculiar background of being the principal in a firm (Christopher Murray & Associates) engaged in planning, research and policy for many state correctional institutions. This allows him an outsiders perspective without the ignorance which attends most outsiders opining about how prisons ought to work. There are not a great many written sources for the story told by this text; Murray conducted 56 interviews with the principal players in this fifteen-year story. There is an almost journalistic quality to the writing as a result. For those interested in adult corrections in general and for those especially interested in Washington State's history of prison reform, this is a worthwhile read.

[Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in Walla Walla, the Washington State Penitentiary had always been a fixture in town. It was the big place right off the freeway always illuminated. Many of my friends’ parents worked out there and before the wine industry exploded, it was the prime employer in the region. During my senior year of high school, I was able to get a tour with my sociology class. It was quite the experience to see the jail cells, license plate manufacturing, the pheasant farm, and we even had a lunch that I’ll never forget - a bologna sandwich with orange juice concocted from a powder. We passed by many inmates who couldn’t help but tell us to “stay in school.”

Christopher Murray put together an incredible review of the pen from years 1970-1985. It was a period that spanned multiple governors and several wardens at the prison. The most memorable was BJ Rhay who was present during the early 70s in what seemed like a period of peace and calm. Inmates were afforded such luxuries as the “take a lifer to dinner” program and furloughs for inmates were commonplace. In those days, it didn’t seem uncommon for prisoners to be caught with weapons. The bulk of issues were amongst prisoners themselves and not the administration or the guards. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 70s that a guard had been killed by an inmate. And it wasn’t long after that the guards started wearing uniforms distinct from the prisoners.

The book begins in times of peace, things become a bit more tumultuous as the late 70s approach and they stay that way until the mid 80s until reforms are put in place and they focused on restructuring the prison. So what happened that took things sour in the mid to late 70s? For starters, Murray cites the Vietnam war as a culprit. Heroin forcefully made its way into the country after the war and Washington was no exception. Leadership at the prison had changed as well and with that, so did the privilege for inmates. Furloughs were taken away and cell shakedowns became more commonplace. Prison administration had also become questionable; with some wardens and directors appearing more corrupt and used their power of the position that benefitted themselves.

As someone that grew up in Walla Walla and toured the prison, there was plenty I didn’t know about it. Murray poured in a ton of research to make this book what it is. With over 56 interviews from former employees and inmates, it was a real page turner that included a ton of great information. Growing up there, the big rumor was that Walla Walla had the choice of hosting a state penitentiary or a state university (WSU). I’m not sure how the final decisions were made, but a prison in the middle of a wheat field in 100 plus degree temperatures in the summer sure sounds like a dreadful place. But it’s actually really nice!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an alarming account of a time when staff did not have adequate control of Walla Walla Prison. It would be of great interest to those with an interest in this institution in particular or corrections in general. Implementation of corrections officer training and policies and procedures for running the facility ultimately transformed the institution, but these are referenced mainly to signify the end of this dark era.