State Hospital briefing set this morning

By William Cole
Advertiser Courts Writer

A state lawmaker is ratcheting up pressure on Hawai'i State Hospital following the latest rash of escapes, calling them "deeply troubling and potentially dangerous to both clients and the public."

Hawai'i State Hospital in Kane'ohe has been the site of several recent escapes by patients. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"What is worrisome is that these are people who are considered dangerous to the public, so it's an issue of public safety," Arakaki said. "When you have these people seemingly able to leave the facility so easily, there has to be a concern."

Arakaki, D-28th (Kalihi Valley, Kam Heights), also questioned how much treatment is being provided — an issue also raised by a court monitor in a January report.

Between January and December of last year, there were 16 escapes involving 13 individuals, according to the hospital. From Jan. 1 to April 9, there have been six escapes by five patients.

As with two highly publicized cases in October, in which two mental patients with violent histories fled the facility, hospital officials cited federal privacy laws this week in saying they cannot talk about the latest escapes — including two breakouts by Leonard Moore .

But Linda Fox, chief of the hospital's adult mental health division, said yesterday that any escape is taken seriously, and is "cause for careful review."

"The hospital is taking steps to reduce (escapes), is being vigilant, and will continue to do that," she said.

She said no "untoward incidents" have occurred in the community as a result of patients escaping.

Officials also have stressed repeatedly that the facility is a hospital and not a prison, and with improvement, greater degrees of freedom are awarded that sometimes lead to a patient leaving the hospital grounds.

In addition, breakage-resistant Mylar tape has been applied to windows, 12-foot perimeter fencing is being installed around two units — including one unit housing high-risk individuals and double locking doors are in place where there were single doors, officials said.

Among the latest escapees, Moore, who was found unfit to stand trial in an auto theft case, threw a table through a window to escape on March 28, but was recaptured on April 1, police said. Moore, 35, disappeared from the hospital again last Saturday after police said he heaved a television set through a window. He is still being sought.

Also, James Huffman, 38, who had been convicted of violent offenses on the Mainland in the past, ran away while on a supervised walk on hospital grounds Saturday, police said. He was found later that day in the Kahalu'u area.

Earlier this year, a report by federal court monitor Leland Chang accused the hospital of withholding information about compliance with Justice Department standards and said patients are not yet participating in active treatment "to the degree required."

A May 16 status conference before U.S. District Judge David Ezra has been scheduled. The State Hospital has been monitored by the Justice Department since 1991, after the state was sued to improve conditions and staffing.

Chang in his January report noted continuing problems, including not enough staff, but since the report's filing, hospital administrator Barbara Peterson said 11 employees had been hired in the nursing department.

She also said the hospital had "absolutely not" tried to hide information and that the perceived problem may have stemmed from a change in reporting methods.

Lead Justice Department attorney Verlin Deerinwater said the hospital also will be asked about the escapes.

"It's something that we have heard about and, obviously, are concerned about," Deerinwater said. "We will be in touch with hospital and state attorneys to try and clarify exactly what the situation is and what should be done to address it."