SEATTLE — The Washington agency that runs juvenile rehabilitation programs is under increasing fire.
A coalition of 13 counties filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). It accuses DCYF of “continuing contempt for both legislative and judicial authority,” for its sudden decision last month to suspend intakes of new offenders at the Green Hill School in Chehalis and Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie.
DCYF said the decision was made because of overcrowding and understaffing at the medium to maximum security facilities for male offenders.
In addition, an advisory council to Governor Inslee called on his office to “Immediately remove Ross Hunter as Secretary and leave DCYF under interim leadership.”
The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice has concerns about inmates’ “due process” being violated and Hunter’s long-term failure to prepare for overcrowding and staffing issues.
The Governor’s office did not respond to the call to remove Hunter, but a spokesperson said the “feeling of shock and confusion is understandable,” given the fast-moving conditions at juvenile rehabilitation (JR) facilities.
The spokesperson said DCYF took “drastic actions” to protect the safety of young people in the overcrowded facilities.
DCYF suspended JR intakes in early July. Then, on July 13, it announced that 43 residents over the age of 21 were transferred from the Green Hill School to adult prisons, under the supervision of the Washington Department of Corrections. Under state law, JR facilities can hold inmates up to the age of 25.
On July 26, a Thurston County judge ruled DCYF violated the 43 inmate’s rights to a transfer hearing and ordered them returned to Green Hill School by Friday, August 2.
“DCYF has complied with the court order and has begun the intake process at Green Hill School,” a spokesperson said in an email.
The lawsuit filed by thirteen counties on July 31 includes declarations from juvenile court administrators detailing the hardships caused by DCYF’s decision to suspend JR intakes.
DCYF said that sentenced youths should remain in county custody for the time being.
A Pierce County official wrote that DCYF’s current contract calls for the department to pay $150 per day to hold a JR inmate. However, the official wrote the actual cost of housing at inmate at the county-operated Remann Hall is $804.87 per day. The county expects to transfer 50 more youths to state detention by year’s end.
The 13 counties have asked a King County judge to issue a preliminary injunction, directing DCYF to fulfill its mandatory statutory obligation to admit juveniles to DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities.