Remann Hall: Early release merely interruption, not intervention

Re: Matt Driscoll: “What happens to a kid released from Remann Hall when no one picks them up?” (TNT, 11/5)

I read Matt Driscoll’s Remann Hall article with sadness and frustration. My 15-year-old was in detention. He had a dozen convictions, including felonies, by the time he was fourteen. Various other crimes were dismissed or bargained down. My son has been a drug addict since age twelve. My family and I participated in every opportunity to help him. The only person who refused to participate was my son.

This time, the charges were trespassing, obstruction, minor in possession and a deadly weapon. Per usual in Pierce County, all charges were dropped except the weapons charge. His consequence was nothing-- again. Despite me begging for three months probation and treatment, my son stayed for only thirty hours. Per usual, Pierce County court commissioner Craig Adams let him go.

If you don’t care about my son, care about other people’s sons. His meth and heroin aren’t free. He’s selling to your kids. He’s doing this to other families. It’s against the law. Step up and do your job. Parents can’t fight the drugs and the system.

Thank you, Remann Hall, for letting my son out to continue his long journey to suicide. The next time Remann Hall gets him, perhaps Commissioner Craig Adams can keep him.

This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Remann Hall: Early release merely interruption, not intervention."