Youth Detention

20 Stories

King County Council calls for audit of nonprofit-managed juvenile diversion

The King County Council has asked the county auditor to examine a controversial, $16 million program that puts community-based organizations in charge of juvenile criminal diversions.
- Ann Dornfeld
Youth jail should be improved, not closed, King County Council votes

It was the council’s first time taking an official position on the future of the youth jail, four years after County Executive Dow Constantine called it a “system rooted in oppression” and pledged to close the facility by 2025.
- Ann Dornfeld
Youth detention facilities face increased scrutiny amid a wave of abuse lawsuits

A new lawsuit alleges widespread sexual abuse of juveniles took place over decades at Illinois youth detention facilities. Similar lawsuits have been filed this year in other states.
- Meg Anderson
Can King County actually close its youth jail? It's not so simple, audit finds

In 2020, amid racial justice protests, King County Executive Dow Constantine vowed to close a newly-built youth detention facility in the next five years. A new county audit of the facility, called the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, points out the complications of actually accomplishing Constantine’s goal.
- Diana Opong
Group homes would replace youth jail in King County under plan to close detention center

King County would replace its youth jail with a receiving center and network of group homes under recommendations from an advisory committee sent to the county council Wednesday. It’s the first plan announced for how the county might replace its controversial youth detention facility, which opened in 2020.
- Ann Dornfeld
This UW pediatrician has helped young people for 30 years. Now, he's on a mission to end youth incarceration

‘There's really no bit of evidence that really substantiates in any particular way, the value of youth incarceration.’
- Andy Hurst
The last immigrant youth jail in the country moves to end contract with ICE

One of the last detention centers in the U.S. to hold undocumented immigrant youth wants to end its contract with ICE.
- Esmy Jimenez
Former Seattle foster child reflects on the end of the youth jail: 'This brings me to tears'

Jasmine Jarrell says she was sent to the King County youth jail multiple times for leaving foster care placements. She says detention is no place for kids.
- Amy Radil
New King County proposal: Close the youth jail by 2025

King County Executive Dow Constantine on Tuesday proposed a plan that activists have long called for: closing the youth jail.
- Paige Browning
An immigrant youth is released from the Cowlitz youth detention center

A young, undocumented immigrant who goes by ‘Arthur’ who had been in legal limbo for the last 9 months has gotten a reprieve.
- Esmy Jimenez

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