Session: State Capitol, Room 423 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-4940 Fax: (907) 465-3766 Interim: 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 450 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0106 Fax: (907) 269-0109 145 Main Steet Loop Kenai, AK 99611 Phone: (907) 283-7996 Fax: (907) 283-3075

Budget Includes Juvenile Center for Kenai Peninsula
Will Keep Youthful Offenders Closer to Home Communities

(JUNEAU) - Sen. Jerry Ward (R-Kenai/Anchorage) is pleased to announce the success of his efforts to include $4.6 million in the State of Alaska's Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget for the design and construction of a youth detention facility.

"It is a tragedy when a youthful offender goes on to commit crimes as an adult," said Ward. "The kids who will use this facility are going to have a better chance of becoming productive members of our society because they will be able to stay close to home where they can receive the support of their families and communities while they try to get their lives on the right track."

At this time juvenile offenders from communities on the Kenai Peninsula are taken to McLaughlin Youth Center in Anchorage. This incurs transportation costs, increases overcrowding at McLaughlin and removes these youth from the support of their home communities.

In 1997, the Department of Health and Social Services identified the need for a youth facility to help alleviate these problems and to provide centralized "headquarters" for various local interdisciplinary agencies in the juvenile justice system. Following the department's recommendation, a committee was formed and the City of Kenai donated land on Marathon Road for a new facility.

The planned facility will have nine single occupant detention cells and two observation cells. It will also include space for youth probation offices and youth education and community programs that will work with the detention program. The plan includes fenced outdoor exercise areas, an intake area and staff offices.

"A local facility is critical to the rehabilitation and re-integration of the youth back in to the community," said Ward. "I am pleased that this project, which is so important to Kenai Peninsula Residents, is going to become a reality."

# # #

Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for SB 150
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 105 K

Broadcasters Note: Audio comments are available on the Majority Actuality line:
1-800-478-6540 or below.

| Sen. Ward's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters