Washington Plans New Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has announced plans to open a new juvenile rehabilitation facility in Aberdeen to alleviate severe overcrowding at the Green Hill School in Chehalis. The facility, which will be located adjacent to the Stafford Creek Corrections Center, aims to house 48 young men aged 18 to 25, as Green Hill has consistently exceeded its safe operational capacity of 180 residents, reaching over 240. This move comes in response to a 60% increase in the juvenile justice population, attributed to a rise in violent crime and legislative changes allowing some young offenders to remain in juvenile facilities until age 25. Inslee emphasized that the new facility will be staffed and operated by the Department of Children, Youth and Families, ensuring compliance with juvenile justice standards. He also acknowledged that the increase in juvenile arrests, which rose by 24% in the past year, necessitates immediate action to enhance capacity. As Inslee prepares to leave office, he plans to propose funding for this facility in the upcoming budget.