Abstract
The recent crisis at Green Hill School highlights the detrimental consequences of severe overcrowding in Washington State’s Juvenile Rehabilitation system—a problem exacerbated by the implementation of the JR to 25 legislation. This Note argues that the juvenile rehabilitation system, which is currently struggling to manage a wide age range of offenders, necessitates a fundamental rethinking of juvenile justice practices. By examining neurological research indicating continued brain development into the mid-twenties, along with the high prevalence of trauma among justice-involved youth, this Note proposes the creation of a dedicated third system of care within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families specifically for emerging adult offenders aged twenty-one to twenty-five. This distinct system, offering tailored secure facilities, specialized programming informed by developmental science and trauma-informed principles, and robust re-entry support, presents a crucial pathway to alleviating the dangerous overcrowding in existing juvenile rehabilitation facilities. Furthermore, this Note underscores the importance of addressing overincarceration at the county level, using King County’s success in reducing youth detention rates as a potential model for statewide reform. Ultimately, establishing a third system alongside a commitment to evidence-based community alternatives offers a comprehensive strategy to enhance rehabilitation, improve public safety, and better serve the unique needs of both juvenile and emerging adult offenders in Washington State.
Recommended Citation
McKenna White, Overcrowding the System: Rethinking Juvenile Justice in Washington State, 49 SEATTLE U. L. REV. 249 (2025).
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