The Denney Juvenile Justice Center is pictured July 21, 2022, in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

The Denney Juvenile Justice Center is pictured July 21, 2022, in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County, others sue state over juvenile detention decision

The counties say they’re not equipped to detain youth for long periods of time.

  • By Wire Service
  • Thursday, August 1, 2024 2:33pm
  • Local News

By Grace Deng / Washington State Standard

The Washington State Association of Counties is suing the state over its decision to suspend intakes at two juvenile detention centers and house newly convicted youth in county jails due to overcrowding.

The association, which represents all 39 of Washington’s counties, is asking King County Superior Court to reverse the intake suspension. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday and lists 13 county governments as plaintiffs, including Pierce, Clark, Spokane, Snohomish and Thurston Counties.

“[The state’s] decision not only risks the safety of our youth in the justice system but also transfers the state’s current overcrowding and safety issues directly to counties,” Derek Young, the association’s interim executive director, said in a statement.

In the lawsuit, the counties argue the Department of Children, Youth and Families is failing to meet its legal obligations and that local jails are not equipped for housing juveniles long-term and providing rehabilitative programming. The department has said the suspension may last for months.

The counties also say that despite Department of Children, Youth and Families director Ross Hunter’s reassurance that juvenile offenders will not be released early due to the decision, “Secretary Hunter does not have the authority to ensure no offenders are released early.”

“The counties remain uncertain that a court somewhere won’t order that youthful offenders be released early if they can’t be housed at a DCYF facility,” said Rob Coffman, the association’s vice president and Lincoln County Commissioner.

The lawsuit comes amid recent calls for Hunter’s resignation from two state lawmakers and a letter sent to Gov. Jay Inslee by the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice asking the governor to fire Hunter. Young said the counties did not discuss asking for Hunter’s removal.

The counties’ association said the Department of Children, Youth and Families “failed to plan for the expected growth of young people in their facilities due to changes in the law,” referring to a 2018 law known as “Juvenile Rehabilitation to 25” that expanded the ages eligible to be housed in juvenile facilities.

The department has two facilities, Green Hill in Chehalis and Echo Glen in Snoqualmie. The state closed one of its juvenile detention centers, Naselle Youth Camp, in 2022, which held up to 150 young men ages 16-25.

Lisa Janicki, president of the Washington State Association of Counties, said it was “obvious and foreseeable” that the department’s capacity would need to expand after the 2018 law passed.

“Instead, the agency reduced capacity but acted like the overcrowding problems at Green Hill and Echo Glen are a surprise,” said Janicki, also a Skagit County commissioner.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families did not immediately return a request for comment.

The lawsuit

According to the counties’ association, the Department of Children, Youth and Families made the intake suspension decision without consultation with county officials and gave notice to county administrators on July 5th, one day before the department’s public announcement.

“The state apparently gave no thought to the impact this decision would have on the rest of the system or the youth and young adults and their families,” Young said.

Green Hill, which has a maximum safe operational capacity of 180, reached 150 young people in January 2023, according to the counties association’s press release. As of June 2024, the facility houses 240 young people.

The department opened up remaining spots within Echo Glen’s capacity on July 19, a total of eight spots — but “Pierce County alone is on track to commit up to 50 additional youth to DCYF’s custody by the end of the year,” the counties’ lawsuit said.

When announcing the intake suspension, the department blamed longer sentences and more convictions for the overcrowding issue.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Inslee, who has not directly addressed the calls for Hunter’s removal but told the Standard he’s focused on helping the department handle the “massive tsunami” of juveniles sentenced this year.

But the counties say overcrowding is “legally irrelevant.” The counties also argue the state is violating the Juvenile Justice Act, which requires juveniles sentenced to more than 30 days to serve their sentence “under the supervision” of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

The lawsuit also argues counties are bearing the brunt of the costs of recent actions because the state has failed to provide adequate funding for housing youth in county jails as promised.

Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Wade Erickson, maintenance with the Edmonds School District, passes by a school closure sign as he clears snow from the sidewalk in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
UPDATED: Schools close across Snohomish County on Thursday

Snohomish County lowlands remain under cold weather and winter weather advisories.

Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.