Three employees of Stafford Creek Corrections Center have received Annual Agency Awards from the Washington State Department of Corrections.

The employees were honored at a ceremony Friday, April 20, in Tumwater for their continuous work to improve public safety. Each year, staff members are nominated for the awards by their colleagues. A total of 74 corrections employees received agency awards out of a pool of 1,073 nominations.

The following awards were given to Stafford Creek Corrections Center employees:

Community Service Award: Steven Bartosh, corrections and custody Officer. This award is presented to an employee who gives time, effort and talent to a community or a cause by volunteering their off-duty time for the benefit of the public.

Correctional Officer of the Year: Gabe Forrest, corrections and custody officer. This award is presented to an officer whose performance goes above and beyond normal requirements and who demonstrates their commitment to the department’s goals and mission.

Classification Counselor of the Year: Timothy Rogich, classification counselor. This award is presented to a classification counselor who models the highest standard of ethics and accountability.

Stafford Creek Corrections Center is a minimum, medium and maximum custody-level prison located nine miles southwest of Aberdeen that houses 1,936 male inmates.