News from The Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 510
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907/258-8184
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Juvenile Justice Facilities Receive Overdue Attention

For Immediate Release: May 30, 1997 Contact: Senator Dave Donley at 907/258-8181

Anchorage -- Overlooked in the flurry of early adjournment was the Republican-led Majority’s successful effort to relieve overcrowding in juvenile detention facilities statewide.

Senator Dave Donley (R-Anchorage) spearheaded the endeavor to address Alaska’s urgent need for additional youth facility beds with a statewide comprehensive long range plan. "I worked with the Department of Health and Social Services to identify necessary upgrades to existing facilities, and to examine designs for new facilities in Mat-Su and Kenai where there are currently no facilities," said Donley.

Fourteen years ago Donley served on the Alaska Juvenile Justice Committee working to find solutions for Alaska’s overcrowding problems. Since then, virtually no additional beds have been funded or built and Alaska is again faced with a serious dilemma.

"This year marks a real milestone for solving the overcrowding in our youth facilities. We not only funded the renovation of a 20 bed cottage at McLaughin Youth Facility in Anchorage and expanded the Johnson Youth Center in Juneau, but we funded the design and engineering of two new youth facilities in Palmer and Kenai and funded the design of upgrades to existing facilities in Anchorage, Ketchikan, and Fairbanks," Donley said.

By creating a comprehensive package for design of youth facilities statewide, Donley noted he was better able to convince legislators and Alaskans of the growing juvenile crime problem and the dire need for space.

"If we are going to continue following through on our commitment to safe neighborhoods, we must address all aspects of crime including adding more juvenile facility beds to detain and rehabilitate Alaska’s wayward youths," Donley said.

###

Broadcast Note: Radio actualities are available by calling 800/478-6540
= Dave Donley, 62K