As current and former members of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee, we were concerned and frustrated to learn about the Department’s July 2024 decision to relocate 43 residents of Green Hill School. The transfers represent an egregious reversal of the state’s 2018 “JR to 25” legislation, which sought to acknowledge young people’s unique ability for positive transformation. 

In transferring these young people to adult facilities, they are exposed to higher rates of violence, greater risk of suicide, more reentry barriers, and a greater chance for rearrest upon release. The decision blatantly conflicts with the stated vision of the Department: that “all Washington’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.” 

At the time of their unexpected transfers to adult correctional settings, several residents were actively engaged in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. Among the residents were two of our brightest, longest-tenured Committee members. The Department’s abrupt decision not only interrupts their individual educational and rehabilitative progress, but also undermines their contributions to our Committee and beyond. 

We have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion that these young people have brought to their roles. Their efforts have been pivotal in bringing awareness to youth mental health needs, actualizing sentencing reform, and providing insight to professionals across the country on how to improve our criminal legal system. Their sudden relocation jeopardizes these hard-earned gains.

Furthermore, relocating them without adequate legal representation, timely notice, or consideration for their ongoing commitments, sends a discouraging message about the state’s value for youth engagement and transformation. These young people should not be punished for hyper incarceration and mismanagement. We echo Sen. Noel Frame’s recent statement in the Seattle Times: 

“It is good public policy to make sure that they are rehabilitated and are ready to be safe and productive members of society when they get out. It’s not good for public safety to break promises to 43 young people that you asked to renounce crime, renounce drugs, renounce gangs.”

We strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and to prioritize the stability and futures of these young adults who have invested their time, energy, and passion into making a difference. Their voices matter, and their presence is crucial to the ongoing success of the initiatives they are involved in.

Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. We look forward to your prompt response and to working together to reach a positive resolution.

Sincerely, 

 

Audi Wodrazka Espinoza

Emerging Leader, Iowa

Emilio Carranza-Davis

Founder and President of Young Minds in the Community 

Emerging Leaders Committee Member (California)

Erin Condon

University of Chicago, Illinois

Michael O’Key

Stanford Graduate School of Education 

UCLA School of Law, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, California 

Gabrielle Henry

Youth Advocate, Georgia

Tayz Enriquez-Banuelos

Emerging Leaders Committee Member

Colorado 

Marika Luneau

Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Vermont

Stephanie Lorenzo

LBSW E-115, Social Worker I

Department of Youth Affairs, Guam

Raymond Vincent

Emerging Leaders Committee Member, Louisiana

Nndidi Chiazor

Howard University Student

Washington, DC

Rebekah Arnold 

Emerging Leaders Committee Chair 

Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council Member, Colorado 

Ryen-Amirah Reed

Youth Advocate, California

 

 

Endorsed by:

 

Melissa Milchman

Executive Director

Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Tracey Wells-Hugging

Chair of the Executive Board

Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Eliana White

Emerging Leader, Colorado

Ariel Lacy

Emerging Leader, Colorado

 

Jordyn Wilson

Youth Justice Campaign Associate

Former Emerging Leaders Committee Member, Washington, DC

Joshua Rovner

Director of Youth Justice 

The Sentencing Project, Washington, DC

Marquette Atkins-Woods

Executive Director

Destination Innovation Inc., Kansas

Tiffany Williams

Executive Director

The Victorious Foundation

 

Paula Mattas

Executive Director

Mesa County Partners    

      

Virginia Roth

LICSW 

National Youth Justice Network, Oregon

Yasmin Vafa 

Human Rights Lawyer and Executive Director

Rights4Girls, Washington D.C.

National Youth Justice Network

Karen Pillar

Interim Executive Director

TeamChild, Washington