All Seven Echo Glen Escapees Now in Custody
Olympia, WA – Last night, DCYF officials learned the remaining four youth who had escaped from Echo Glen Children’s Center were apprehended in Vancouver, Washington.
All seven youth, who escaped from Echo Glen on May 28, are now in custody. Three youth were previously apprehended in Burien on May 28. The personal vehicle used in the escape was also recovered.
Due to privacy requirements, DCYF is unable to comment on individual youth cases or legal processes with regard to the youth. DCYF will work with Law Enforcement partners in pursuing charges against all youth involved.
Juvenile rehabilitation staff worked with law enforcement partners statewide.
A Juvenile Rehabilitation Critical Incident Review Team (CIRT), comprised of people from outside facility management, is conducting a thorough review of the incident.
Echo Glen has enhanced its safety and security protocols, will assess whether protocols were followed, and will assess the need for changes based on this incident alongside the CIRT.
DCYF sought and has received approximately $8 million in state funding in April to support necessary security upgrades for Echo Glen, including a perimeter fence. This is needed to serve the population that is now housed at Echo Glen. Security upgrades across the facility are being implemented. They include the perimeter fence as well as systems for logging necessary 15-minute cell checks.
Much of the pre-design work for the fence is complete, and DCYF plans to start going out for bids now as the funding becomes available July 1. Security systems will be hardened throughout the facility.
The youth who escaped range in ages from 15-17 years old.
Echo Glen Children’s Center, a medium-maximum security facility, is home to DCYF’s youngest Juvenile Rehabilitation population up to the age of 17.
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Contact:
Jason Wettstein, Director of Communications | 360-464-0294 | jason.wettstein@dcyf.wa.gov
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