SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — The Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) announced Saturday that it has suspended intake at two juvenile rehab facilities due to overcrowding and safety concerns.
"When too many young people are concentrated in small spaces, it can escalate behaviors and limit the ability for therapeutic rehabilitation," said Secretary Ross Hunter. "This was not sustainable. Our facilities must be safe, therapeutic, and functional."
Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie and Green Hill in Chehalis are the two facilities suspending intakes.
In May of 2023, a security officer was assaulted by juvenile offenders as they escaped from Echo Glen.
It was one of the most high profile incidents in a series of events that led to union workers voting "no confidence" in Hunter.
In a July 6 news release, DCYF said the department stopped accepting offenders the day before, on July 5.
Hunter notified juvenile, adult and tribal courts across the state last week of the decision to suspend intakes at its secure facilities, the release said.
The decision was criticized by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
"It is wholly unacceptable to simply stop accepting juveniles who have been sentenced, through due process, for often very violent crimes. Victims of crime need to know that offenders will remain in custody," wrote WASPC Executive Director Steven D. Strachan.
DCYF said none of the state's juvenile offenders will be released under the plan, but they will be redirected to county facilities, which the state will pay for.
Green Hill's population went from 150 people in January 2023 to 240 people in June this year, which is 30 percent above capacity, according to DCYF. The agency said longer sentences for offenders has contributed to the increase.
The suspension is expected to be in effect until the population numbers come down, which DCYF admitted could take several months.