Staff and judge: overcrowding at Green Hill is harming rehabilitation and safety

Staff, a judge and legislators at a Green Hill press conference described the operational harms caused by chronic overcrowding and staffing shortages at the juvenile facility.

Bailey Smith, mental-health coordinator at Green Hill, told the group that roughly 85% of residents have mental-health needs and that direct clinical contact has fallen sharply because staff must prioritize safety. "With overcrowding, there is a lack of ability for counselors to get off the floor to work on and address issues with our clients," Smith said, and reported suicidal and self-harm behaviors have nearly doubled over the past year.

Eugene Barclay, a counseling supervisor, described living units designed for 35–40 people routinely operating closer to 60, leaving counselors unable to meet resident needs, increasing risky behavior and causing staff burnout. "If the staff aren't healthy, we cannot serve the residents," Barclay said.

Judge Dave Keenan, speaking from his experience in youth justice, said he observed the facility at about 30% overcapacity and that staffing shortages and overcrowding reduce programming and safety. He said housing more young adults at Green Hill rather than sending them to DOC is evidence of some reforms working but added that added capacity is currently necessary to protect both residents and staff.

Legislators Sen. Claire Wilson and Rep. Tana Sen reiterated that while adding capacity is necessary, upstream prevention, diversion and community-based services must remain priorities to reduce future demand on the juvenile system.

The administration and legislators signaled joint intent to pursue short-term capacity relief (the Stafford Creek plan) while also advancing prevention and mental-health supports; precise timelines and budget figures for program expansion were not provided.