By IAN DEMSKY, Tacoma News Tribune

The Rev. Tom Suss spent a recent afternoon at the McNeil Island prison near Tacoma, Wash., loading the contents of his office into his Hyundai Elantra.

For more than 15 years, he served inmates of all faiths as prison chaplain. But the 63-year-old Catholic priest chose to retire a year and a half early rather than work with a troubled heart.

An 80-year-old man who had never been in trouble with the law is now a registered sex offender for downloading child porn. By many measures Wayne Madland of Gig Harbor, Wash. is a model citizen. He's a World War II veteran, an attentive grandfather and a prodigious blood donor.

Needs photo numbers

Tobacco isn't allowed in Washington's prisons, but that hasn't stopped some inmates from lighting up.

"AMLEXTASY." "CMPNS8N." "SEEHOX." Often funny, sometimes witty and occasionally naughty -- they're called vanity plates for a reason.

They can display one's philosophy, team affiliation, business, hobby, generosity or kiss-off to the world -- all in seven letters.

There are 86,700 of them in Washington state.