DCYF is facing an undeniable truth: the state agency tasked with running Washington’s juvenile detention facilities has unwittingly engineered its own downfall.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families is facing an undeniable truth: the state agency tasked with running Washington’s juvenile detention facilities has unwittingly engineered its own downfall.The crisis became visible on July 5 when DCYF announced that its facilities were so full that court systems could no longer send convicted criminals to their facilities.DCYF painted a picture of a sudden explosion in the population at its Green Hill School located in Lewis County .
"You know that something is going to happen today, and it's legitimate, and the staff are scared. My biggest fear is somebody will get killed."The former employee echoed the statements that so many current, and former, staffers told FOX 13. Those employees explained that when complaints were made to leadership at the facility in Chehalis, the leadership would respond that it's the job they signed up for.
FOX 13 has learned that Governor Inslee directed the Department of Corrections to send 10 employees to Green Hill to add to its total number of staff. The agency has also sent administrative staff into the facility, and hired security guards. Employees contend that those individuals often count towards the resident-to-staff ratio, but it doesn’t mean those people are inside the buildings that need attention.Female staff in particular feel unsafe and outnumbered.
"We urgently request a meeting with you to discuss this matter and the Partnership Council’s position."Asked by FOX 13 whether Governor Inslee had plans to act, a letter written by his Chief of Staff didn't address the calls for Hunter's removal. Instead, it focused on what could be done moving forward and offered to arrange meetings with other agencies about arrest rates and trends of prosecution.
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