OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state will move ahead with plans to open a new juvenile rehabilitation facility in Aberdeen to help ease overcrowding at Green Hill School in Chehalis, Governor Jay Inslee announced at a press conference on Monday.
The state’s juvenile rehabilitation system has been under increasing strain in 2024, driven by overcrowding and staffing challenges, particularly at Green Hill School. According to a press release from the governor’s office, the number of young people at the facility has increased by 60% since 2023, further complicating issues related to safety and the quality of services for incarcerated youth.
During the press conference, Inslee and leaders from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) presented a proposal to reduce the pressure on Green Hill, which is currently housing more than 220 young men which is well beyond its capacity of 180. Overcrowding has been an issue since spring 2024, with the population now exceeding 230.
DCYF said that they aim to open a new facility at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, which will house up to 48 young men, aged 18–25. The facility is expected to offer educational and therapeutic programs designed to help residents build leadership and peer mentoring skills before reentering their communities. Preparations for the facility are already underway, with an expected opening in February 2025.
“Safety is our absolute top priority,” Inslee said. “Everyone is eager to resume the quality education and programming these young men need, but that will only be possible when we address this dangerous overcrowding situation. We need more space, it’s as simple as that. I appreciate DCYF’s efforts to evaluate nearly a dozen possible sites and balance the many criteria we know are important to the students, their families and our JR employees.”
The rising juvenile population is partly due to an increase in juvenile arrests. A July report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) showed a 24% increase in arrests since 2023. Many cases delayed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic are now being adjudicated, adding to the pressure on the juvenile justice system.
“With overcrowding, the staff is required to focus on maintaining safety only instead of fostering genuine relationships essential to delivering successful outcomes and rehabilitation for our young people, which is why staff do this work,” said Jennifer Redman, who is currently serving as Green Hill’s interim Superintendent.
Green Hill School primarily serves young men convicted of serious crimes, many of whom require medium or maximum custody. The facility houses individuals aged 18–24, with many serving long sentences that will eventually require transfers to adult correctional facilities. Currently, 70 residents at Green Hill are scheduled for transfer when they turn 25.
“This new facility is an important step towards alleviating the immediate safety issues at Green Hill, but it’s not the only step we need,” said Ross Hunter, secretary of DCYF. “Our staff is very dedicated to the success of the young people in our JR system, and this package gives staff the tools and resources to do their work safely, now and into the future.”
Governor Inslee acknowledged that the new facility would not fully resolve overcrowding at Green Hill and emphasized the need for continued efforts to find additional site options and possible policy changes.
The governor said that he will release a full budget proposal in mid-December, which will include further details on the proposed juvenile rehabilitation initiatives.
