LACEY, Wash. — Washington State will no longer take in juvenile offenders due to capacity issues in some rehabilitation centers.
According to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), they will indefinitely suspend the acceptance and placement of sentenced juvenile offenders, no matter how severe the crime.
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) said the situation is largely of the State’s own making.
“The state’s overcrowding problem in Juvenile Rehabilitation Centers has been known for some time, and not taking responsibility for the housing of offenders places the public at furth risk,” WASPC said.
According to the WASPC, they are pressing the Washington government to resolve this ongoing issue through any executive or legislative action.
“It is wholly unacceptable to simply stop accepting juveniles who have been sentenced, through due process, for often very violent crimes,” said WASPC. “Victims of crime need to know that offenders will remain in custody.”
According to the DCYF, the decision was made after an overflow of juveniles at Green Hill School. DCYF said 240 youth and young adults on campus created a dangerous and deteriorating situation for staff. The duration of the suspension has yet to be determined.
This decision does not mean that juvenile offenders will be released.
“Instead of entering a JR facility, those sentenced to JR will remain in a county facility until the JR population reaches safe and sustainable capacity levels,” said DCYF. “DCYF will provide funds to counties to support this.”
DCYF said it is working to address the current challenges and ensure the best possible services to youth and young adults in its custody.
People with questions or concerns can contact Director of Public Affairs Allison Krutsinger, at 360-480-2216 or Allison.Krutsinger@dcyf.wa.gov.
