This editorial originally appeared in The Seattle Times.
When it went into effect, Washington’s new law allowing young people convicted of crime to remain in juvenile lockup until age 25 sounded appropriately progressive.
A youth facility would be better able to provide therapy and education at a time when young people’s brains are particularly malleable, this rationale held. It would shield them from the predatory culture in state prison and offer a real shot at rehabilitation.
But three years in, the state has failed to make good on this promise, leaving many kids no better than they were. Some, in fact, are now facing prison time, due to crimes committed while confined at youth facilities.
Video aired recently on Seattle news shows a May breakout from the Echo Glen Children’s Center, one of five escapes there over the past two years that have involved at least 15 teens. In this one, a lone female guard was ambushed, punched repeatedly and locked in a cell. She sustained a concussion, according to her union.
More shocking, two of the boys were able to free other kids with a few keystrokes on their unit’s central computer without needing any password. Your personal cellphone has better security. Last month, three more youths ran while taking out the trash. Two of them were serving time for murder. And while all were caught quickly, at least one of the trio now faces more prison time — which undercuts the whole point of Washington’s Juvenile Rehabilitation-to-25 law.
Ross Hunter, secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and Families, which oversees Echo Glen, describes these failures as “embarrassing.” They could be a lot worse if staffers sue the state for failing to provide a safe workplace.
Hunter also says he did not properly appreciate the realities of managing a youth prison. Echo Glen, for instance, is secured only by forest wetlands. A fence is now in the works — though it won’t be ready until 2025 — and Hunter says he has hired more guards. Gov. Jay Inslee is requesting another $9 million in the upcoming legislative session to bolster security.
But kids understand that no one is minding the store. Echo Glen has seen a half-dozen superintendents come and go over the past two years.
These are youths who have already proven that they need help controlling their conduct. That’s why they’re there. The point of confining them was to provide the structure and tools to change — a goal that’s impossible to reach if they’re allowed to run riot.
This is not a call for indiscriminate lockdown but, rather, clearer boundaries, trained staff and robust, consistent education programs. That was the whole point behind the new law. But currently, its promises look merely aspirational.
Hunter appears to agree. “I am not into retribution,” he said. “I would like to protect children from making predictable mistakes that have permanent consequences.”
So would we all.
