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The state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) has resumed intakes at both of the state’s juvenile rehabilitation facilities, more than a month after the agency paused intakes as it sought to address safety and overpopulation concerns.
In an announcement Friday, DCYF said intakes into Echo Glen in Snoqualmie began “a few weeks ago” and Green Hill School in Chehalis would begin intakes Friday.
"We appreciate the counties’ engagement on this difficult situation,” the agency said in a statement. “Because the population at Green Hill remains significantly above capacity, our focus will continue to be the safety of staff and young people at our facility."
The announcement comes weeks after the agency paused intakes at both facilities and moved 43 residents out of Green Hill and into the state Department of Corrections (DOC) custody as it attempted to combat rising population numbers.
In the July 5 announcement, DCYF said the freeze would continue until the facility reaches “sustainable levels” of population, which they said could take “months” to occur.
According to KING 5 news, DCYF has settled a lawsuit brought by 13 Washington counties — including Lewis — who alleged the agency failed its obligation and violated state law by suspending intake.
As part of the settlement, DCYF agreed to pay the legal fees accrued by the counties.
As it paused new entries into Green Hill, DCYF announced that newly sentenced offenders would begin their sentences at county-operated facilities.
The move sparked concern from law enforcement groups and lawmakers, with state Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, saying he felt “blindsided” by the decision.
The transfer also sparked outrage from advocates for the moved inmates who said they were “concerned and frustrated” by DCYF’s decision to move the residents.
The move was ultimately halted after a Thurston County Superior Court judge found the agency failed to follow its procedure in removing inmates from the facility.
After the judge upheld the ruling on July 26, DCYF released a statement that partially said the decision would “put the safety of residents and staff at Green Hill School at risk.”
According to DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter, the population at Green Hill increased from 150 residents in 2023 to 240 residents in June 2024, which is 30% above capacity, and the facility saw considerable growth after state law allowed some minor offenders to serve their sentences at the facilities.
According to DCYF, 228 aggressive acts have occurred in state juvenile rehabilitation facilities since January.
Gov. Jay Inslee has authorized the agency to consider options for a “small, medium security facility” and DCYF has announced plans to open a new facility with up to 16 beds in unincorporated “urban” Pierce County to house young offenders with “severe mental health, behavioral health needs.”
A DCYF spokesperson told The Chronicle the department has identified a site and is working to finalize a lease agreement on the building.
DCYF is also eying changes to JR to 25, legislation that sought to reduce recidivism by allowing some offenders to serve their sentences in juvenile rehabilitation even after they become adults.
These amendments to the law, five years after it took effect, would focus on “what needs to exist in the law to ensure we don't end up in a situation where one of our facilities, given this reality, ends up in an unsafe situation in the future,” a DCYF spokesperson told The Chronicle.
"We are working with legislators, counties and stakeholders on the three actions necessary for ensuring all the young people in JR can safely access the programming and services they need — opening new space, recruiting and retaining skilled workers, and receiving data from the counties so we can be more responsive to changes in the JR population,” DCFY said in a statement Friday.
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team served a warrant at the facility in 2023 and seized evidence that was being improperly stored in lockers. State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, called for a full investigation of the facility but was rebuffed by Inslee, who insisted many positive improvements were being pursued.
Four Green Hill School corrections employees have been fired and arrested this year for alleged felony offenses that occurred at the Chehalis facility.
The alleged offenses include selling meth and other contraband to an inmate, an inappropriate relationship with a former inmate, prison riot, abuse of office and fourth-degree conspiracy to commit assault and possession of marijuana in the facility.
In recent years, Washington state has invested in treatment services and infrastructure improvements as lawmakers look to reduce recidivism.
“We’ve had some staff that weren't living up to our standards and expectations,” Jason Aldana, superintendent of Green Hill School, told reporters from The Chronicle during a March tour. “But that is not what the average staff member is here. They come in here to do a job to try to change people's lives and to make a difference in the lives of our residents and set them up for success.”
