Former corrections officer embraces new career as auto mechanic on Route 104

Ricky Washburn has been working on cars since he was a kid

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ricky Washburn, left, gives this vehicle a tune-up. His father-in-law, Keith Davis, stopped by the shop.

ALBION – Ricky Washburn has been working on cars since he was kid, initially helping his grandfather.

Washburn has a knack for it, and about 15 years worked as mechanic before taking a job as a corrections officer.

Washburn added two lifts for his garage at 12694 Ridge Rd W, Albion. He is a registered repair shop with the state. He can handle just about any job for an automobile. He does brakes, suspension, exhaust, engine and transmission repair, tune-ups and computer diagnostics. He doesn’t do alignments or inspections.

He said there is a shortage of car mechanics. He started working for an independent shop in Niagara County for three years right out of high school, and then worked 12 years for dealerships before going into corrections.

Washburn worked 16 years as CO, but he left that career to start his own auto repair business in July.

Ricky Washburn is shown in his garage at Washburn Auto Repair, 12694 Ridge Rd W, Albion.

Washburn, 44, said he loved the job as a corrections officer the first 10 years. But the last few years the job became very difficult. He felt the prison was less safe with more drugs including fentanyl finding their way inside. Officers were very limited in using solitary confinement through the HALT Act, which Washburn said made it far more challenging to keep order and discipline inmates.

Many COs quit and new recruits weren’t eager to take their places, resulting in long shifts and mandated overtime.

Corrections officers went on strike in February to demand safer working conditions for COs, other staff and the incarcerated population. When the strike ended in March after 22 days, Washburn didn’t believe the issues had been addressed.

“The conditions only got worse,” he said. “The first 10 years were great. But after HALT, it was all downhill.”

Washburn worked at Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium-security men’s prison in Albion. He decided to step away from corrections and put his energy into his passion for fixing cars.

Washburn said many of his colleagues also didn’t return to the state prisons. Many have taken jobs in county jails.

“I just had enough of it,” he said. “What I’m doing now is healthier with far less stress. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Ricky Washburn opened his repair shop in July. The shop is just outside Albion on the eastern end of Ridgeway.

Washburn has been a race car driver and used his talents to keep his car running on the track. His 12-year-old stepdaughter, Laina Stewart, is a top go-kart racer in the region and state.

Washburn’s 4-year-old daughter, Parker, also has started racing. He is their crew chief.

As the owner of his own business, he doesn’t have to worry about mandated overtime where he could miss the races and other important family events. Washburn works until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Thursday. He is done at 3 p.m. on Thursdays during the racing season so the family can compete at the track in Ransomville.