In an effort to address the crisis in its youth detention facilities, Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announced Friday that they have relocated 43 young people to adult prisons.
Despite this move, DCYF informed FOX 13 that they still cannot lift last week’s suspension that prevents new juveniles convicted of crimes from entering Echo Glen or Green Hill, the state’s two juvenile detention centers.
Around five years ago, the state altered its juvenile rehabilitation programs, allowing young offenders to stay in juvenile facilities until they turn 25. All transferred inmates were males over 21, with sentences that would have eventually required them to move to DOC facilities by age 25.
“This decision was not made lightly,” stated DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter. “The security risks from overcrowded facilities have made our current situation untenable.”
Over the past year, FOX 13 has reported several large fights or riots at Green Hill, the juvenile rehabilitation facility housing male inmates in their late teens and early 20s.
Before Friday’s transfers, Green Hill housed 236 individuals. The 43 transfers will reduce the population to 193. According to DCYF, recent months have shown about 6-to-8 juveniles entering their facilities per week, while only 2-to-4 are exiting.
A spokesperson from Governor Jay Inslee’s office described the situation as pushing “the JR system to a breaking point.”
Governor Inslee has authorized DCYF to explore options for a small to medium security facility for young people. However, there is no set date for when this facility might open.
When asked if a special session was necessary to address the emergency, Governor Inslee’s office dismissed the idea, calling it “an extraordinary measure with no guarantee of productive results.”
DCYF is currently experiencing a 60-percent increase above 2023 levels.
While both immediate and long-term actions are needed, the full plan will not be implemented until the 2025 legislative session. A spokesperson told FOX 13 News that planning would include smaller to medium-sized facilities and significant investments in programming and workforce to manage the larger population.
Currently, counties face the challenge of where to place all young offenders sentenced to juvenile facilities.
“I can’t stand here and say coming to Green Hill or Echo would have been a better choice given the circumstances, the incidents on campus, and the population,” said DCYF spokesperson Allison Krutsinger.