03/26/1993 01:55 PM Senate JUD

  SENATOR TAYLOR  introduced SB  51 (WORK  CAMPS FOR  JUVENILE                 
  OFFENDERS) and invited the  sponsor, SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS,                 
  to testify.                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 091                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR  PHILLIPS explained  it was  similar  to legislation                 
  introduced by SENATOR VIRGINIA COLLINS  in the last session.                 
  He explained the concept of a  "work camp," which would be a                 
  residential  facility  set  aside for  use  only  by minors.                 
  These  residents might be required  to work on buildings and                 
  grounds, or perform other activities including education.                    
                                                                               
  SENATOR PHILLIPS explained his bill,  SB 51, would authorize                 
  the Department of  Health and  Social Services to  establish                 
  regulations for  the operation  of work  camps and  to place                 
  delinquent minors into work camps instead of another type of                 
  detention facility.                                                          
                                                                               
  SENATOR  PHILLIPS  said, further,  the  legislation provides                 
  that a municipal or non-profit  corporation may maintain and                 
  operate a juvenile work camp under regulations to be adopted                 
  by  the  DHSS.   He  suggested  that PAT  O'BRIEN  from DHSS                 
  testify on the legislation.                                                  
                                                                               
  MS. O'BRIEN testified  in support of  the bill, because  she                 
  said it  would give them  an additional alternative  type of                 
  program in  which to  place juveniles,  who are  adjudicated                 
  delinquent.                                                                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR TAYLOR asked if it was similar to the programs known                 
  as the Outward Bound program.                                                
                                                                               
  MS.  O'BRIEN  said it  was  a  possible, and  she  described                 
  programs  presently  in  existence in  the  State  of Alaska                 
  today, as a component of  residential child care facilities.                 
  She thought one  of the main  emphasis of  the bill was  the                 
  ability to have the juvenile work,  to learn about the world                 
  of work ethic, perhaps, on a farm.                                           
                                                                               
  SENATOR TAYLOR opened  the meeting to testimony  and invited                 
  SHERRIE  GOLL,  representing  the Alaska  Women's  Lobby and                 
  KIDPAC, to speak.                                                            
                                                                               
  Number 147                                                                   
                                                                               
                                                                               
  MS. GOLL expressed  the concerns  of her clients  that   the                 
  work camp service  was presently  offered through the  child                 
  care  programs, which her  clients feel  are adequate.   She                 
  didn't  think  the  legislation  was  clear  as  to  whether                 
  juveniles would  be sent to the work camps from institutions                 
  such  as  the     McLaughlin  Youth  Center   or  from  less                 
  restrictive settings such as residential facilities.                         
                                                                               
  MS. GOLL discussed  possible duplication of efforts  in this                 
  effort, but  she did  support the  Governor's bill for  boot                 
  camps for first  time offenders between  the ages of 18  and                 
  26.                                                                          
                                                                               
  MS. GOLL  was concerned both  programs were planning  to use                 
  the Pt.  MacKenzie farm, but she felt it should only be just                 
  as an experimental farm to lessen the prison population.                     
                                                                               
  MS. GOLL  discussed with SENATOR  TAYLOR possible amendments                 
  to the bill to limit it to first time juvenile offenders for                 
  drug treatment and education.   She reiterated their support                 
  for first time offenders but not for  juveniles younger than                 
  18.