OLYMPIA – The Senate passed two bills sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) Monday to reform Washington’s juvenile rehabilitation (JR) systems.
Senate Bill 5296 allows judges to determine whether incarceration for individuals adjudicated of certain juvenile offenses is needed to protect public safety. Judges would have additional options to choose from, including community-based supervision, house arrest, and treatment, so they can decide the type of juvenile justice response most appropriate for public safety. Very serious offenses are excluded from this consideration.
“While the bill’s primary goal is to improve public safety, it would also significantly lower overcrowding at JR facilities,” Wilson said. “Our facilities have about 50 more people in them than they can reasonably support today. This measure will create a modest reduction to that, which we know is important and needed.”
“By investing in upstream approaches to youth incarceration with merit-based approaches, we can increase public safety, lower overcrowding, save tax dollars, and improve outcomes for youth facing the legal system,” Wilson said.
Studies have shown alternatives to incarceration can have a better impact on public safety. Incarceration results in higher rates of rearrest and reincarceration compared to rehabilitative community alternatives.
Prior to passage out of the Senate, several amendments were adopted to narrow the scope of the bill, including two Republican amendments that keep current law in place for juveniles who commit more serious offenses and regarding juveniles transferred to community facilities and transition services.
Senate Bill 5032 expands the duties of the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) to include JR facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).
Right now, there isn’t one place people can file a complaint about a JR facility, such as having a problem with a staffer or receiving inadequate care. The bill would amend this gap in services and give OFCO the authority to manage, investigate and resolve complaints about JR facilities.
“It’s critical we provide a clear and reliable resources for juveniles in rehabilitation facilities and their families in case they need to file a complaint,” Wilson said. “This bill would create this resource, improving the quality of these facilities.”
Most state agencies with residential services have ombuds as a resource for people to file complaints when having issues with an agency. JR facilities do not have this resource. OFCO still receives complaints from those in JR facilities, but current law does not allow them to contemplate young adults aged 18-25 in DCYF’s care and custody. SB 5032 would codify OFCO’s ability to receive and resolve these types of complaints.
Both bills now move to the House for further consideration.
