As Washington State Penitentiary inmates, they have plenty of time on their hands. But some choose to use their hands as they serve their time.
They are the jewelers, the leather craftsmen, the sketch artists who advanced from doodling in their cells to producing professional-looking works of art that are sold to staff members and the public."Instead of turning into a video idiot (in my cell), I braid these for a couple of hours," said John Breen, 34, displaying his leather-braid belts and other handiwork.
This night, Breen and 11 other inmates have gathered at the new Terry Guske Memorial Craft Center in the prison to work on their projects.
Prisoner hobbies include making leather vests, boots and moccasins, creating pieces of jewelry and building jewelry boxes. Many inmates also sketch or paint intricate pictures of subjects ranging from motorcycle riders to exotic animals.
One convict recently crafted a wooden "rocking horse" in the image of a realistic-looking motorcycle, complete with wooden spark plugs.
By prison rules, this type of work has to be done at the craft center because of the need to supervise inmates who use tools and other implements.
Breen, who's originally from Boston and is serving a sentence for robbery, said he appreciates the program. He designs and sews vests, boots, moccasins, belts and wallets - all that sell for nominal prices if he can find a buyer, he said. For instance, a completely lined leather vest may go for $40 and a pair of boots for $30.
"It keeps me busy and out of the house (his cell) at night," Breen said. "It distracts me and makes the time go by quicker."
The prisoners buy their own supplies, and if they're lucky enough to sell something - either to a prison worker, community member who hears about their work, or through a family member - many decide to pump their profits into more supplies.
Unlike years ago, there is no curio shop at the prison, and inmates are prohibited from selling items to each other. In the past, some transactions were made to pay off debts, Recreation Supervisor Dave Hillyard said.
But prison officials are trying to get more community exposure for some of the artistic efforts.
Gregg Corn, hobby craft supervisor for the main institution, said sometime this year he wants to arrange for items to be shown in two or three display cases at various locations in the community.
As Corn puts it: "Somewhere where the guys could sell their stuff and show their stuff off."
The new $400,000 craft center, for use by the approximate 1,150 inmates in the prison's main institution, was completed in July and named after the late Terry Guske, who was the capital projects manager in charge of construction at the prison. Guske was killed in a skydiving accident in Richland on Sept. 30, 1993.
The facility is divided into four areas, each with tools for a particular craft: a painting, sketching and classroom area; a woodworking area; one for leather work and jewelry making; and a paint drying room.
The building was paid for by state construction money, but the equipment was purchased through a fund supported by inmates.
"I think it's a real positive thing, and I think it will grow," Corn said.
Tim Webb, 36, who's doing time for attempted murder, said prison officials should encourage more artistic endeavors. Many inmates draw and create small crafts in their cells. But technically, they aren't allowed to without a "curio permit," which can be revoked for misbehavior.
Webb, from Spokane, said he couldn't draw a circle before coming to the prison almost two years ago. But he started doodling in his cell in the Intensive Management Unit. "I had all that time to kill," Webb said.
He's pleased with how he's progressed artistically.
"I honestly believe anybody can draw if I can," he said, showing off his meticulous pencil sketches of motorcycles, animals and even a self-portrait modeled after a photograph.
"It makes me feel good about myself," he said. "It's something I do that I like and that other people like, too."
Webb doesn't sell most of his artwork.
But fellow inmate Ray Holmes, 30, of Seattle wants to start a small business with his jewelry-making skills when he gets out of prison. He cuts stones and creates intricate impressions on ivory for necklaces, bracelets and pendants.
"I can't see sitting on your butt while you're here," he said.
Holmes, who was sentenced for kidnapping and armed robbery, maintains he has no intention of going back to a life of crime.
"I've had enough of that," he said. Like Webb, he's a self-taught artisan and learned his craft through books he's read in prison. "There's a lot I still want to learn," he said.