Posted on: Thursday, October 2, 2003

EDITORIAL
Don't mess with youth sex offender program

The Lingle administration has ordered a $1 million study of treatment centers that includes determining the future use of a Pearl City juvenile sex offender rehabilitation program. It is looking into whether the facility could be expanded to include — or replaced by — a juvenile substance abuse rehabilitation program.

We say, let it be.

Yes, the war on ice demands more treatment programs. But let's not disturb a unique facility that serves a maximum of 10 boys aged 12 to 17 who are not violent predators but have had sexual relations with family members.

Common sense tells us it's not a good idea to mix these boys with drug users and felons, or move them elsewhere, unless to a better facility, which does not exist in the Islands at this time.

Besides, the neighbors already feel betrayed that the juvenile sex offender facility, operated by Benchmark Behavioral Systems, has stayed this long on the Waimano Training School and Hospital grounds.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano had promised to move the facility to a more suitable location once the state found the money. Three alternative sites were recommended, but needless to say, none of the neighbors wanted such a center in their backyard either. Meanwhile, a legislative committee was unable to reach a consensus on where to move the center, and so it remained in Pearl City.

This appears to make the best of an unhappy situation. The facility is locked and monitored around the clock and is a safe distance from the nearest homes. There have been no escapes from the facility, although two boys did run away during an outing to Ala Moana Center.

Drug treatment programs could be at any number of vacant facilities in the Islands, including Kalaeloa. The Pearl City juvenile sex offender facility is tailored to a distinct and fragile population. Don't mess with it unless it's absolutely necessary.