Washington prison to offer nature videos in solitary

SHELTON, Wash. (AP) — Washington Corrections Center is starting a new program that will bring nature videos to maximum custody inmates who spend 23 hours a day alone in their cell.

In the coming weeks, these prisoners — which include the most dangerous and unruly of the overall prison population — will have the option of watching sunsets, mountains and river vistas projected on a blank recreation room wall that they are allowed to go to during their hour out of their cells. The hope is that by offering these scenes, inmates will be calmer.

The so-called "Blue Room" is based on a similar setup in an Oregon prison that has seen some success with prisoners.

The prison, about 30 miles northwest of Olympia, is the first in Washington to set up the videos, though others have expressed interest.