Chehalis Youth Detention Center Employee Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Riot

A Chehalis youth detention center employee has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to incite a prison riot, casting a shadow over the already troubled Green Hill School. Currently held at Lewis County jail, the employee's arrest follows a series of alarming incidents, including staff members caught smuggling drugs into the facility. A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) confirmed their awareness of the arrest, but details remain scarce due to an ongoing investigation. Whistleblowers have raised alarms about the persistent influx of drugs and a lack of accountability within the facility, prompting calls for state intervention. Notably, State Senate Minority Leader John Braun and local police chiefs have urged the Governor's office to investigate, yet no such inquiry has materialized.

Governor Jay Inslee addressed the issue, citing the complications of housing older youth with younger ones in the same facility, which has contributed to rising violence and security concerns. The situation at Green Hill School has been characterized by increasing reports of misconduct and inadequate rehabilitation efforts for the young population. As this new arrest unfolds, the future of the facility and its management remains uncertain.