Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine today received a review of the Children and Family Justice Center he had commissioned from Dr. Eric Trupin of the University of Washington. The review will inform the road map to achieve the Executive’s goal of Zero Youth Detention.

Story

In May, King County Executive Dow Constantine asked Dr. Eric Trupin, professor and vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to review and evaluate the design of the Children and Family Justice Center. In addition, Dr. Trupin was asked to examine staff training, and how services to youth in juvenile detention could be better aligned with community resources.

The report, “Working to Reduce the Use of Secure Confinement,” reinforced many elements of the CFJC’s current design, including:

• As part of Intake, youth will be seated in an open reception area instead of being held in dorms
• Creating a room for families during visits
• Promoting art and self-expression so that young people can personalize all living units and shared spaces
• One staff member per 8 youth

“Dr. Trupin, and the committee members he assembled to advise him, are truly deserving of our thanks and appreciation," said Executive Constantine. "These recommendations provide important insights, and highlight both short- and long-term opportunities to help youth and keep the entire community safe. I look forward to continuing the conversation as we develop new and innovative ways to ensure that all young people have the best chance to avoid the pitfalls of youth and the burden of history, and grow into healthy, responsible adults."

Executive Constantine recently named Deputy Executive Rhonda Berry to lead King County’s juvenile justice reforms. Deputy Executive Berry will be responsible for drafting and implementing a “Road Map to Community Safety and Effective Alternatives to Detention.”  Executive Constantine directed her create a timeline for this work by the end of the year. Deputy Executive Berry will use the Review’s recommendations to guide and prioritize reforms, including: 

• Eliminating racial disparities in rates of arrest, referral, filing and detention
• Continuing our engagement with the Juvenile Justice Equity Steering Committee and other community stakeholders
• Improving workforce and skills training for both detained youth and youth on probation
• Expanding opportunities for community members to help our young people make the journey to a healthy and happy adulthood

Deputy Executive Berry will study other important recommendations, including transferring the Juvenile Division of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention to Public Health, and transferring youthful offenders from adult facilities to the CFJC.

“Our County has made terrific strides in diverting youth from the ‘cradle to prison pipeline’ - yet we still have much work to do before we can come close to the goal of zero detention,” said Dr. Trupin. “This report provides an integrated strategy to continue on a positive pathway in pursuit of this goal. Many of the recommendations will be challenging to implement but is my strong belief that we have the political will and courage to continue to do what needs to be done for the children, youth and families of our county.”

“Dr. Trupin’s report is timely as I begin this work that is so important to the future of young people, families, and communities in King County,” said Deputy Executive Berry. “We are moving forward with programs and policies to realize our goal of Zero Youth Detention. The review and recommendations by Dr. Trupin and committee members dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable youth inspires me and sets the right direction for the progress we will make together.”  

Relevant links

• Working to Reduce the Use of Secure Confinement, prepared by Dr. Eric Trupin and Mara Lucia Puertolas
• Executive response to Trupin Report

Quotes

Dr. Trupin, and the committee members he assembled to advise him, are truly deserving of our thanks and appreciation. These recommendations provide important insights, and highlight both short- and long-term opportunities to help youth and keep the entire community safe. I look forward to continuing the conversation as we develop new and innovative ways to ensure that all young people have the best chance to avoid the pitfalls of youth and the burden of history, and grow into healthy, responsible adults.

Our County has made terrific strides in diverting youth from the ‘cradle to prison pipeline’ - yet we still have much work to do before we can come close to the goal of zero detention. This report provides an integrated strategy to continue on a positive pathway in pursuit of this goal. Many of the recommendations will be challenging to implement but is my strong belief that we have the political will and courage to continue to do what needs to be done for the children, youth and families of our county.

Dr.Trupin’s report is timely as I begin this work that is so important to the future of young people, families, and communities in King County. We are moving forward with programs and policies to realize our goal of Zero Youth Detention. The review and recommendations by Dr. Trupin and committee members dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable youth inspires me and sets the right direction for the progress we will make together.

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966