Maui's warden jailed as suspect in sex assault
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui — For 12 years, Albert Murashige was the man who ran Maui's jail, taking the heat for escapes and other problems but also garnering praise for his work in the criminal justice system.
But yesterday it was the warden who was peering out from behind bars.
MURASHIGE
"It's shocking to me," said Keith Tanaka, one of several Maui attorneys who said they were surprised by Murashige's arrest Wednesday night for allegedly having sex with a female inmate. "It sounds totally out of character for him. I always thought he was a great warden."
Murashige, 46, was arrested at his Makawao home by special agents for the state attorney general. He was being held yesterday at the police cellblock in Wailuku on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault.
First Deputy Attorney General Richard Bissen said the alleged offenses were reported by a woman inmate last week. Agents began investigating the complaint on Monday.
Bissen said a decision on whether to charge Murashige will be made today. Authorities must release a suspect after 48 hours if they haven't filed charges.
The state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety scheduled a press conference for noon today.
Without elaborating, Bissen said the allegations of sexual assault include first-, second- and third-degree counts. He also pointed out that a special section of state law calls for harsher penalties if the acts occur within a correctional facility.
The Maui Community Correctional Center in Wailuku houses 378 inmates, most of whom are men. The 63 female inmates include 42 who are generally serving sentences of one year or less, 16 pretrial detainees and five probation or parole violators.
Officials would release neither the identity of the inmate who accused Murashige nor information on why she was in jail or whether she has been moved from the jail.
Murashige is among the senior wardens in the state's corrections system.
In the early 1990s, he endured criticism for a rash of escapes, including one in 1995 in which a furloughed inmate kidnapped a woman and her 12-year-old daughter and raped the girl, leaving the two tied up in a canefield. Jail officials said they were unaware that the inmate's record included an escape on the Mainland.
The incident sparked a public outcry, and a citizens task force was formed to look at jail policies and the handling of the escape, including notification of nearby schools.
In 1996, jail guard Michael Saffery received a 10-year prison term for forcing a female inmate to perform oral sex.
But Murashige also drew praise for his work, including cooperating with the Maui Drug Court to open a special dorm for Drug Court inmates in Sept. 17, 2001.
In 1999, Murashige received awards from then-Gov. Ben Cayetano and the Maui County Bar Association.
The bar association gave him the Liberty Bell Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the legal system by a nonlawyer.
Former bar president Graham Mottola said Murashige's actions meriting the award included allowing students to tour MCCC to learn the harsh realities of prison life and his being open and accessible to lawyers seeking to discuss jail issues with him.
"He treats us with great courtesy," Mottola said. "He could make our life miserable if he wanted to, but instead he makes our life easier. He streamlines the process for attorneys, when appropriate. What more could you expect from a warden?"
Tanaka said that whenever he had a concern about the jail, Murashige was willing to look into the matter. "He seemed to have an open mind," he said.
Tanaka said he has known Murashige only as "a straight family man'' and community volunteer at such things as charitable functions.
"If they want a character witness, I'll stand up for him. I'd be in his corner," he said.
Former Maui corrections officer David Kaho'ohanohano said he, too, finds it hard to believe that Murashige would have committed such acts.
"As far as I know, Albert is not that kind of a person," he said. "In my heart, I say no. But I'll leave it to the court."
The top-ranking adult corrections officer at MCCC, Maj. Alan Nouchi, is serving as interim warden.
Reach Staff Writer Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
