Photo by Matt.Dunn.

Good morning, Washington. I highly recommend that you take your time with Jason Cherkis’ lengthy investigative report into residential treatment centers (RTCs) and the Washington juveniles who are sent there, despite the centers’ dubious credentials as both ineffective rehabilitation centers and huge money pits. Cherkis reports that the District spends $61 million in both local and federal funds on sending its troubled youth to such centers every year, despite the fact that statistics show up to a 90 percent recidivism rate among RTC “graduates” — including several D.C. juveniles who left and ended up killing people in 2010. Given Cherkis’ description of the conditions at many RTCs, many resemble gulags, where troubled kids are sent to isolation, shoved into overcrowded quarters, deprived of treatment plans and allegedly physically and mentally abused. Despite these well-documented issues, Cherkis notes, the District “appears to be embracing [RTCs] more energetically,” spending more money on sending youth to them, despite cuts to other city services. It’s a completely heartbreaking report, one which shows that the city’s strategies for troubled juveniles, who already have little or nothing to live for, push them even further to the edge.

Suspect In Suburban Hospital Slaying Arrested: Montgomery County police have arrested a 49-year-old man who they believe killed Roosevelt Brockington Jr. at Suburban Hospital on New Year’s Day. The suspect, who has not yet been identified, reportedly is an employee at the hospital. Police had previously stated that they believed the killing was “not a random act of violence.”

Mayor Gray Honored By G.W.: A nice little story from Steve Hendrix, who covers George Washington University’s surprise tribute to the city’s new mayor. Vince Gray, a G.W. grad who, at one point, was barred from playing on the university’s basketball team and joining its fraternities, was honored during the Colonials’ hoops game against La Salle — appropriate, considering that the District’s Mayor had overshaded the varsity side during his time at the school when he formed a team with four other minority players. It’s pretty interesting to compare the school then — which Hendrix describes as “a tradition-bound urban campus of big sedans and Southern sensibilities” — with the G.W. we know today.

Briefly Noted: Opponent of bag tax calls figures showing massive decline “purely anecdotal”…Man shot and killed on 4200 block of Gault Place NE last night…New Arlington member of Metro board says she’ll ride Metro to meetings…Suspected dogfighting ring uncovered in Montgomery County…Man fires shots at plain clothes police officer in Gaithersburg…Despite no local jackpot winner, Mega Millions still brings $200,000 of revenue into city…The District is far from the only place in America which suffers from food deserts.

This Day in DCist: Last year, the NBA suspended Wizards star Gilbert Arenas indefinitely after four unloaded guns were found in his Verizon Center locker; and in the some things never change department, Metro warned customers about escalator outages, while advocates wanted President Obama to talk about voting rights in the State of the Union.