What will it take to curb overcrowding at WA's youth prisons?

Soundside

Washington’s youth prisons are facing a crisis of overcrowding.

The state’s two medium and maximum security youth prisons – Green Hill School in Chehalis, and Echo Glenn Children’s Center in Snoqualmie – have both consistently met or surpassed their maximum capacity for residents in recent years.

When the 2025 Washington legislative session began, lawmakers had lots of potential solutions.

From custody transfers, to increased diversion programs, to early release petitions - lawmakers brought a bevy of bills attempting to fix overcrowding at youth detention centers.

But now, with the session at an end… some of those key bills have not passed.

What happened, and where does it leave Washington’s youth detention centers?

Guests:

• Jake Goldstein-Street, reporter with the Washington State Standard

• Dr. Eric Trupin, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington Medical School. He’s also a child psychologist who has worked with incarcerated youth for decades

Related stories:

• No fixes on horizon for crowding crisis in WA’s youth prisons - Washington State Standard
• Washington lawmakers confront juvenile detention overcrowding crisis - Washington State Standard

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.