Prison Policies Changing For Gay Youths

Within the next three years, the state of Hawaii is going to make huge improvements in youth correctional facilities. The agreement to make these improvements came after a lawsuit was filed on behalf of three teenaged inmates that were mistreated based on their gender and sexual orientation.

In the claim, the juvenile prisoners say that both staff members and other inmates physically and verbally abused them.

A report was made by the Justice Department that described the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility as “existing in a state of chaos.” Later, when the case was brought before federal district judge, J. Michael Seabright, the conditions at the prison were again described as “chaotic” The state was strongly urged to stop the abuse and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender inmates.

Now, under this new agreement, the attorney general says that the state is planning to develop specific policies to deal with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender juvenile offenders.

According to Lois Perrin, legal director for the ACLU of Hawaii, these policies should be made under court order and a lot sooner than the three years the federal government is giving the state. Ms. Perrin is asking the state to thoroughly investigate specific accusations of harassment and abuse. Also, she wants the juvenile detention facility to provide a physically and psychologically safe environment.

The new settlement agreement imposes new conditions on the youth prison that should finally make the facilities safer for gay inmates. These conditions include the development of a suicide prevention program, intervention procedures, and protection of young inmates from physical or sexual abuse.

In addition to changes in treatment and new programs, the ACLU wants to ensure that the juvenile detention facility's staff members are the right kind of individuals to supervise and care for these juvenile offenders. The state has agreed to conduct criminal record checks within the next four months on all employees who worked directly with the youths.

After four months of negotiation, the state has agreed to implement the new policies, procedures, and programs to improve the living conditions of all youth prisoners. While there is no guarantee that all harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender inmates will stop, there is now a form of order intended to protect these individuals. Throughout the process of implementing these changes, an independent monitor will oversee the state's progress.