Jail residents showcase art and poetry

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KENT — A spring-themed art and poetry contest at the Maleng Regional Justice Center gave jail residents a chance to put their creativity to good use.

Their winning entries now provide meaningful public art in the jail’s Public Visiting Corridor, so everybody can enjoy them.

“I appreciate the work of our programs team to develop and support creative growth for jail residents,” Kent Division Cmdr. Mohamed Eltayeb said. “These types of activities are core to our department’s priorities by promoting opportunities to humanize the people in our facilities and programs.”

The Maleng Regional Justice Center, or MRJC for short, is one of two secure detention facilities for adults overseen by the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. The department operates this facility in Kent as part of the same system as the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle.

The MRJC hosted its first art contest in December, following a similar format. The second contest kicked off this April with the theme “Spring into a Positive Mindset.” Programs staff plan to organize similar competitions throughout the year.

Staff from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) acted as anonymous judges for the contest this spring, picking three top choices for both art and poetry. Art and poetry entries were identified only by number, so judges didn’t know who made them. Awards were presented on May 12, 2025.

Ten residents submitted artwork, and 16 residents submitted poetry. First, second and, third place winners in both categories received a certificate and a commissary credit.First place for poetry went to resident Heidi Bounds, who wanted to convey “putting the old things behind us.” The opening verse of her poem reads: “Spring into a positive mindset, letting go of the things in the past; starting over again and rebuilding, this time with tools that will last.”

First place for artwork went to Jordan Everybodytalksabout, whose drawing titled “King County’s Finest” shows a montage of logos for the Seahawks, Mariners and Sonics surrounding the Space Needle ringed by clouds.

“I’ve been drawing since forever,” said Everybodytalksabout, who also won second place in the inaugural MRJC art competition this past winter.

Artwork winners - “Spring into a Positive Mindset” - May 2025

• First place — Jordan Everybodytalksabout
• Second place — Alexander Jose Como
• Third place — Craig Jerome Chretien

Poetry winners - “Spring into a Positive Mindset” - May 2025

• First place — Heidi Lynn Bounds
• Second place — Marissa Kay Pettit
• Third place — Margarito Uriostegui

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention would like to extend a special thank-you to Christina Davis, DAJD’s Corrections Program Supervisor of Resident Programs, for her work to ensure the success of this competition.

We look forward to more creative competition later this year to further DAJD’s mission of promoting equitable outcomes for the people we serve.