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11 Jul 2024 | |
Membership Update |
Today, we have new information regarding the recent letter from Ross Hunter, Director of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), suspending new intakes into the state’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Facilities. A copy of the letter can be found here, and here is a link to a recent Seattle Times article discussing the issue.
We have been in contact with both DCYF and the Governor’s office over the last couple of days about this issue. Here’s what we can share in addition to the letter and what has been reported:
So far, both DCYF staff and the Governor’s office have been very forthcoming with information. When asked about the suddenness of this decision, they claim that the inmate population growth has been a recent development over the last couple of months. They expressed that they are closely monitoring the situation and are actively looking at various options to address it.
WSAC is organizing a meeting with a few juvenile court administrators and key members to begin our assessment of the impact of suspension. We hope to meet in the next few days to hear from county staff, judges, and others about their individual and collective concerns so that we can advocate effectively.
We may contact you for information as we consider options for addressing the suspension. Please stand ready to respond quickly to any data requests we need.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reach out. We will provide updates when more information is available.
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