We ask King County Executive Dow Constantine to withdraw the permit application for construction of the new youth jail. We ask that he redirect the $210 million into community-based solutions. Youth who are incarcerated versus those who are not for similar crimes are more likely to drop out of school, re-enter the criminal justice system, and experience poverty and homelessness. As future policymakers and public leaders, we pledge to advocate for society’s most vulnerable members.
We are taught to recognize the humanity behind numbers, and that policies and budgets should reflect our core values. King County Executive Dow Constantine has been at the forefront of the effort to build the $210-million juvenile detention center.