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Jeremiah Gilbert, 35, was convicted on two counts of first degree murder in 1993 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He spent nearly half of his time in solitary confinement prior to participating in the Intensive Transition Program at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center. (PHOTO: MyNorthwest.com/Michael Simeona)

At Clallam Bay, prisoners seek an escape from solitude

BY Brandi Kruse  on July 19, 2012 @ 4:57 am (Updated: 3:45 pm - 7/19/12 )

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"My hands have done a lot of hurt," Jeremiah Gilbert thought to himself as he held his niece for the first time. Scared, the convicted murderer quickly tried to hand the child back to his sister.

It was the first time in a long time that Gilbert was allowed a contact visit while behind bars. In and out of solitary confinement, his visits typically took place through a pane of glass.

"Absolutely not. You hold that baby!" his sister demanded. "She's going to want to know you. I will not bring her to you if you're behind glass. Just because you're doing life, doesn't mean you can't have one. Act like it."

It was more than a wake-up call. It was a gut punch, Gilbert said. He could not go back to the hole.

Jeremiah James Gilbert, 35, was convicted on two counts of first degree murder in 1993 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. When he was 15, he said, he ran away from home and went on a "dope and drinking run." He ended up taking the lives of two men in Klickitat County: Robert David Gresham, 35, and Loren Evans, 26, of Vancouver, Wash.

With no hope of release, Gilbert decided early on to do prison "his own way." As one official put it, Gilbert would "raise hell" on the yard.

"I couldn't walk to the chow hall and back without getting an infraction," Gilbert said.

He estimates he has spent seven to eight years of his time behind bars in and out of solitary confinement, or "the hole," as prisoners call it.

He served an 18-month stretch for being deemed, "a threat to the orderly operation of the institution." He was suspected of assault, arranging assaults and being a ringleader in what is called a "security threat group." His latest stretch in isolation was served in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center, where he was transferred after assaulting an officer while at the correctional complex in Monroe.

On lockdown for 23 hours each day, Gilbert got to thinking.

"As a lifer, you get to that point where you wake up, look around like, "O.K., this can be the best it ever is. Am I OK with that? No way,'" he said. "There's a better way to do my time. A better way to exist; to live."

It was at Clallam Bay that Gilbert was introduced to the Intensive Transition Program; a unique opportunity to escape his life of solitude. The program attempts to ease inmates out of solitary confinement and into the general population, or prepare them for release into society.

"At some point their sentence is done and we're going to drop them off at a bus station and they're going to be standing in the grocery store line behind your daughter," said Steve Blakeman, the IMU supervisor at Clallam Bay. "So we have to do something with them. We have to consciously, intentionally strive to help them be better at each phase of the incarceration than when we received them."

Inmates who volunteer for the program will go through the process with up to five other prisoners. Through four, color-coded phases, inmates earn increased freedom as they complete classes and other requirements.

"It introduces them to no more shackles, no more chains," said Jeri Newman, correctional unit supervisor. "They're getting to day room three times a day and go to classes regularly."

"They're slowly introduced to being around more people," said Matt Roman, a correctional specialist with the program. Being around more people can be a difficult concept for those who have spent a long period of time in isolation, he said.

Since it began in 2006, 115 inmates have successfully made it through the Intensive Transition Program. Eighty-percent of those who graduate will remain out of the IMU, according to the Department of Corrections. Fifty-percent of those who do not go through the program will return to the hole.

Compared to other states, Washington has a relatively small number of prisoners in solitary confinement to begin with: 2.7 percent of the population. Dan Pacholke, director of prisons, said the state has taken a "reasoned approach" to putting inmates in isolation, and the goal is to reduce that number even further.

"We try to apply effort to get them down to lower security levels because they are cheaper to operate and they foster pro-social behavior. People tend to behave better in those environments," he said.

Through the ITP program, inmates like Jeremiah Gilbert have been able to escape isolation for good. He was the second person to graduate without getting an infraction, and has not returned to solitary since.

Along with other ITP graduates, he now teaches classes to other inmates trying to stay out of the hole. He also participates in the dog program, and helps to train a husky-lab mix named Lilly for adoption.

"I look at 20 years of waste," Gilbert said of his previous time in prison, spent in and out of solitary. "I chose to exist rather than live because it was easier. I didn't have to feel."

Due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Jeremiah Gilbert could eventually be eligible for parole despite his sentence. To hear more about his case, listen to 97.3 KIRO FM's Seattle's Morning News on Friday, July 20.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (55)


  • Add A Comment

  • R L M 456 wrote...
    This story is pathetic
    July 19, 2012 5:54 am
    Wonder if Brandi Kruse and the others morning news bleeding hearts commenting on the "poor convict" in the hole because he has no self control, would have the same option of this "convicted double murderer" if this crime had happened to thier mother or child.

    OH, but that is right-- a Program by the State of Washington fixes all things evil. after all the program is 4 Phases long, how could it fail.

    I offer the comment that just perhaps, some convicts BELONG in a dark deep hole forever.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boeingmarcus wrote...
    Lacking in facts
    July 19, 2012 3:06 pm
    My problem with this story online is that it is lacking in facts. How much does any of this cost? More details about rates of re-offending, success rates from those who've been through the touchy-feely reintegration program would be appreciated. My problem with the story on the radio this morning was listening to ultra-softy liberal Radke nearly cry about the poor prisoners. It took Thomas to point out that these men are excluded from society because of their crimes, then further secluded from the prison because of their behavior.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • therealiestdeal wrote...
    grow up seattle
    January 19, 2013 9:23 pm
    im doubting that brandi kruse and the morning news staff at KIRO have bleeding hearts. seattle will always b a stepping stone for companies. see the oklahoma city thunder. so disrespectful.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeddite wrote...
    doombeast@gmail.com
    July 19, 2012 6:21 am
    Ahhhh, a "let's all feel sorry for monsters" piece. ALTERNATE TITLE: "Convicted Murderer Laments Punishment"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Annie (1) wrote...
    Compassion??
    July 19, 2012 6:29 am
    What is the point of this story?? Mr. Gilbert is ALIVE--his 2 victims are DEAD.So the isolation of solitary confinement seems like he's got the better deal.Can't wait for part 2 of Mr. Gilberts story tomorrow where we get to hear how despite 2 life sentences he might be eligible for parole-think I'll tune out KIRO tomorrrow. So glad Mr. Gilbert gets to hold his infant neice-I'll bet his 2 vicitms would have liked the chance to hold a loved one.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Burn_Notice wrote...
    Two Words.. "Capital Punishment"
    July 19, 2012 6:42 am
    It solves a lot of problems and I promise it will drop the recidivism rate and institutional behavioral issues of that particular inmate to zero.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Most of these guys WILL BE released at some time
    July 19, 2012 7:03 am
    So lets attempt to change them as people.Its not being a bleeding heart its just common sense.I mean these guys get released without even a drivers license.At least if they had a DL they could drive a cab or take a job that requires one.Could you imagine trying to get a job in this economy when your fresh out of jail?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    They could
    July 19, 2012 7:11 am
    Go to work for Obama!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Messiah - your heart appears in the right place but
    July 19, 2012 7:53 am
    driving a cab is likely out for most ex cons. Background checks, and all. .. But you're right. Most will be released some day. And we've fallen a long way from the attempts at rehabilitation on the past. Unfortunately about all prison has become - even minimum security - is a training ground for future crime.

    Something needs be done, but that's beyond my knowledge, so I don't know what. All I do know is that the present system is not working worth a dang.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Caravanman wrote...
    messiah
    July 19, 2012 9:16 am
    Why get them licenses? we do not make sure our miitary people getting out are ready for the outside, why care about animals?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Caravanman
    July 19, 2012 11:29 am
    "Why get them licenses",because I don't want them thugging and mugging.as far as our military people goes. They have great training available to them while in the military.When I was in we could take courses towards college degrees for free and I believe a type of GI Bill still exists which pays tuitions.A person exiting the military has no excuse for not being prepared for life outside,a guy in jail has little offered in the way of training and I for one would rather see tax dollars spent to teach a guy a trade then pail for his jailing (about $35,000+ per year)
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  • Caravanman wrote...
    messiah
    July 19, 2012 11:39 am
    I wish I could believe that helping them get jobs would stop the thugging and mugging, but it won't. There have been alot of programs over the years to help them and look where we are today. Lock them up like the animals they are and throw away the keys! If they aren't already giving them the tools to get a job, where is the 35k a year going?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Caravanman
    July 19, 2012 2:38 pm
    The $35K, is going to pay for the jails,the guards,medical care,food and all the other overhead costs.What they need to do is give the prisoners useful training so that jobs can be obtained when their eventual release date comes.They could teach them the trades,plumbing,electrical,roofing,carpentry,auto repair, I would make it mandatory that a prisoner had a certifiable way to earn a living before he is released.And if jobs that fit his training are not available where he previously lived then his release is dependant on him relocating to an area where he is eligeable for employment. A bus ticket will be provided
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    caravanman
    July 19, 2012 9:06 pm
    Lock them up and throw away the key? Hmmm, really? You're driving home from work, get distracted for a split second, and hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian dies, you are charged with vehicular assault and involuntary manslaughter, and get sent to prison. We should throw away the key on you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Caravanman wrote...
    As far as the military goes
    July 19, 2012 11:47 am
    With cutbacks and what is going on right now, many cannot take classes. They do get a great GI bill, but that is EARNED! THe prisoner should get what he earned...time in solitary! No more no less! And if they wanted to do a story about someone, how about someone we think could be one of the people behind our kids at store someday? This killer of 2 will never be!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Caravanman
    July 19, 2012 2:42 pm
    Look the pay in the Military is certainly sufficient that soldiers can pay their own way. They volunteered for Petes sake.You seem to lack the ability to think about how an action can cause another problem.If you have a bad dog and you beat it every day he may fear you and obey you but I suggest you never turn your back to that dog
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • lawman1214 wrote...
    Caravanman
    July 19, 2012 10:28 pm
    Good, then you pay for his salary! At least until he violates and goes back. What cry babies like you lack is victimization. Once you become one, you will never shead baby tears for a felon again!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    messiah
    July 19, 2012 8:57 pm
    You are right, most of these guys will be released at some point so it does seem common sense to do something to help them change before that time. It did seem counter intuitive to use a lifer as an example in this article though. I've worked with many ex-felons on fishing boats so have had the chance to hear their side of the equation. The biggest problem for many is the prison mentality; and it sounds as this program may help break away from it. As for getting a drivers license once released, they can get one easily as long as they have no legal reason not to (DWI, unpaid tickets, etc). The problem they usually have with finding work is education and public opinion. Most convicts don't have much education, most just get their GED's in prison. This obviously removes many good jobs from them. The other main problem is peoples opinions, which you can get an idea about just from the various comments here. Most of these ex felons want nothing more than to get work, pay their debts, and become a contributing part of society. Unfortunately, most employers won't even give them a second look once they find out they are ex felons. It's sad that they judge people by a label rather than by the person they really are. Most employers don't even know there are tax benefits for employing ex felons, which is sad. Most people I've talked to found these ex felons to be more loyal and harder workers than their other employees. Sure many ex felons don't want to change, but they usually end up right back in jail within a few weeks. Sadly, it's these idiots that ruin it for the ex felons that really want to change their lives.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    What's
    July 19, 2012 7:07 am
    the purpose of this story? I have not one iota of sympathy for this man. He took 2 lives and wants us to feel sorry for him? The bleeding hearts at MNY want us to feel sorry for him? He belongs in the hole. For Life. As Warden Norton so eloquently put it " I'll pull you out of that one-bunk Hilton and cast you down with the Sodomites. You'll think you've been frigged by a train!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Step 2...
    July 19, 2012 7:03 am
    Ok Brandi...good story. Now, Go find a family member or two of those he murdered in 1993 and see what they think. Especially about that tag line on the Supream Court Ruleing..(Balnced reporting you know).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realistic Rick wrote...
    Step 2 - In total agreement!
    July 19, 2012 1:25 pm
    MyNorthwest should interview the surviving family that lost a family member associated with this puke. See how they live everyday without ever getting a parol from their loss. Time to Hug a Thug in WA!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kanajune wrote...
    Lifw without parole?
    July 19, 2012 7:09 am
    I heard this piece on the radio this morning but had to come into work before they wound up with a teaser about how guys like this with no possibility of parole will still get released eventually. I'd like to know what loopholes exist that let extremely dangerous killers back out into our midst again. That disturbs me. But knowing that most of these prisoners will indeed be back in society again makes this kind of program essential. What do we expect to happen if we throw these hard core difficult guys back out unprepared to deal with the pressures of outside? Like it or not, its a reality we have to face.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    What loopholes exist, kanajune...
    July 19, 2012 9:28 am
    and what lawmakers ALLOWED THEM TO EXIST!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    07-19-2012 At Clallam Bay...
    July 19, 2012 7:29 am
    Bleeding hearts equals bleeding victims. The bleeding hearts say it isn't right to execute a person in return for his killing of innocent people. Then they stick the guy in solitary which will definitely drive a person crazy, or crazier. Like the habitual rape-o that killed the little woman prison guard, this individual is really not eligible to continue drawing in air. His suffering is caused by bleeding hearts. His victim's suffering is caused by bleeding hearts. A great idea for people in prison who continue to run their antisocial violent program is to add time for every infraction so the sociopathic freaks never get out. But, of course that wouldn't be properly compassionate. Better to let them out to rape and kill again... and again... and...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eddiewhite wrote...
    C'mon Brandi...
    July 19, 2012 7:41 am
    You and Linda are my favorites and then you do this. These are bad guys that act even worse then the bad guys they are surrounded with and you do a sympathy piece?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chris Halliday wrote...
    He'll most likely be out some day?
    July 19, 2012 7:48 am
    The fact that this killer will most likely be out some day was the scariest thing I saw in this story. Life in prison should mean LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole. For that matter, any sentence that is handed out should be followed to the tee regardless of how well behaved any felon is. Frankly I feel prisons should be made up of nothing but solitary confinement cells. The prisoners shouldn't even have that hour a day of recreation. There would be no wasted real estate on the yards where prisoners just become even worse criminals. Each cell would have its own shower so rape would not be an issue. All meals should me served in cells so dining areas would also be a non-issue as far as crimes go. No books, TVs, mail, visits, etc. should be allowed. Of course my vision of prison would never be accepted at this point in time. But I find it to make perfectly good sense.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Chris H
    July 19, 2012 11:32 am
    How would you like to work in a prison or be an inmate in a prison that has a bunch of inmates with no chance of ever getting out?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Caravanman wrote...
    messiah
    July 19, 2012 11:43 am
    I will never put myself in a situation where I will be in prison or work at one...if you do put yourself in a position such as this, it is your fault and you have to suffer the consequences! If you work there, you know what it entails and if you do not like it, quit!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Caravanman
    July 19, 2012 6:02 pm
    That does not answer the question.Who would want to work at a prison full of inmates who have no hope of ever getting released?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mike_D34 wrote...
    Life w/o Parole is....
    July 19, 2012 7:53 am
    Cruel and unusual punishment. Anything beyond 15-20 years, should be an automatic execution. What a waste of my freakin taxes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    I agree Mike
    July 19, 2012 8:15 am
    Many of these scum don't deserve to live. If we had Pay-Per-View executions, like 2 or 3 a month, we would have new revenue streams and probably a few less murders.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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