WASHINGTON — The carjacking epidemic in D.C. is being driven by teens according to Metropolitan Police data. Juveniles make up 63% of carjacking arrests so far this year.
On Monday, an angry Mayor Bowser called out one D.C. Superior court judge as an example of a catch-and-release system.
“It is my understanding that the judge wanted to place a juvenile, who has also been arrested for carjacking a sixth or seventh time, in a shelter environment that is not secure,” Bowser said. “That was not available. What was available was a secured environment. And in my opinion, if you've been arrested for the seventh time for carjacking, that is where you belong.”
But an analysis by WUSA9 reveals in pre-trial there may not be anywhere to send violent juvenile offenders except back home. Data from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) reveals the city’s pre-trial detention facility, Youth Services Center (YSC), is at capacity.
In fact, city data shows the current population at YSC at 94, which is six teens over the capacity listed on the DYRS website. A source within DYRS said the facility is using temporary bedding to house the additional teens but added the facility is “not busting at the seams.”
In a statement to WUSA9, a DYRS spokesperson said the agency is working to:
- Increase the number of beds in existing shelter homes
- Actively seek additional local group and shelter home providers
- And find more space out-of-state to place committed youth
“Our unwavering commitment to our mission means that we will continue to provide the necessary support in the most nurturing and least restrictive environment while ensuring public safety remains a top priority,” the statement reads.
DYRS could use the extra space. Currently, there are only 187 beds in DYRS detention centers and shelter homes, which are basically group homes with ankle monitors.
According to DC Police data, officers have arrested 991 juveniles this year alone although not all of those teens were sent for incarceration by a judge.
Due to privacy laws, the exact number of how many juveniles who were released due to a lack of space is unclear.
Reoffending is another huge issue the District is grappling with right now. City data shows 21% of juvenile offenders who are on some sort of supervised release, re-offend.