Juvenile Justice

Addressing facility needs 

Alaska’s Juvenile Justice infrastructure is an important component of maintaining public safety and often a last chance to habilitate our youth to be responsible community members. That investment not only protects our citizens today but also reduces the threat tomorrow.

In the summer of 2007, a study was commissioned to identify significant safety and security breaches within the Division’s four oldest facilities. As a result of this study, Threat to Safety and Security An Assessment of Security Needs for Alaska’s Juvenile Detention Facilities, a funding plan has been proposed beginning with the oldest and largest facility, McLaughlin Youth Center (MYC), in Anchorage and the Johnson Youth Center in Juneau.  The Legislature approved funding for the MYC upgrade, Phase 1, and construction is anticipated to begin in the fall 2009. Obtaining funding for upgrades to the Johnson Youth Center in Juneau is next, with the Fairbanks and Bethel Youth Facilities to be included in subsequent years.

Recruitment and Retention of Staff

The Alaska Legislature has recognized the importance of funding line-level juvenile justice officers and juvenile probation staff, and has in recent years supported funding of a number of positions to field offices around the state. However, the Division is challenged to provide essential and timely services if the positions responsible for these services cannot be filled. Being able to quickly hire and retain qualified staff will ensure that reports of juvenile crime receive a quick response, that victims are involved in the process, and that juveniles receive adequate supervision and case management. Retention and recruitment challenges continued throughout the year due to the level of staff change and turnover.

Leadership development is a crucial focus to help line supervisors develop skills for their current position and also prepare them for promotion. Retirements and other turnover during the past years and in the next few years make leadership development a pertinent and critical goal for the long-term success of Juvenile Justice. Recognition of staff dedication to this field of work is valued. A number of staff have been recognized for their work this past year:

Juvenile Justice Officer Ted Elconin and Maintenance Generalist Dan Walters of the Kenai Peninsula Youth Center (KPYF) received the Bob Rader Detention Services Worker of the Year Award and Nome Juvenile Justice Officer Michael Tucker was received the Line Staff of the Year award.

Wanda Greene, Anchorage Juvenile Probation Officer II, was recognized by the Anchorage Mentoring Alliance for her work with juveniles on her caseload.

Barb Henjum, Superintendent of McLaughlin Youth Center in Anchorage, was elected the Western Region Vice President of the National Juvenile Detention Association.

Bernard Gatewood, Superintendent of the Fairbanks Youth Facility, was recognized by the Alaska Native Justice Center for his work with the Native community in the area of re-integration and his commitment to restorative justice.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development presented the Safety Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award to the Johnson Youth Center for effective employee safety and health management programs that reduced worksite accident rates.

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