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DCYF youth facility admissions suspended due to safety concerns over rising numbers – KIRO 7 News Seattle

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OLYMPIA, Wash. — On July 5, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families announced it is stopping admitting children to its youth rehabilitation facilities, citing concerns about rising numbers that could compromise safety.

DCYF operates two youth facilities, the Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie and the Green Hill School in Chehalis.

According to DCYF, more and more young people are being sentenced to longer prison terms, causing youth facilities to fill up faster than expected.

“Having too many young people concentrated in a small space can lead to behavioural escalations and limit the opportunity for therapeutic rehabilitation,” says DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter.

“The population at Green Hill increased from 150 in January 2023 to 240 in June 2024, which is 30% above capacity,” DCYF said in a press release.

“That was not sustainable. Our facilities must be safe, therapeutic and functional,” Hunter said.

To immediately address these concerns, DCYF has hired additional staff at both facilities.

DCYF also works to reduce the number of offenders by transferring them to minimum security prisons.

When juveniles are arrested, they are taken to county detention centers where they are held until sentencing unless they are released on bail. After sentencing, juveniles are transferred to DCYF juvenile facilities.

After sentencing, the juveniles will remain in these county facilities until the inmate population at DCYF facilities is reduced. DCYF will provide financial support to the county detention facilities during the suspension.

DCYF says the suspension will remain in effect until populations at the facilities “reach sustainable levels,” which could take months.

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