State resumes control
of girls’ prison

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By Genevieve A. Suzuki
gsuzuki@starbulletin.com

The state Office of Youth Services has taken over the operation of the girls' prison from the nonprofit Child and Family Service.

Office of Youth Services Executive Director Bert Matsuoka said this summer's escape of 10 girls from the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility is a symptom of a larger problem of the operation.

"The (Aug. 31) escape was just something that happened, and it just brought attention that Child and Family Services was working there," Matsuoka said.

"It's just unfortunate that it happened right after they took over (in August)."

The state began operating the girls' program Wednesday.

For Child and Family Service, the relationship was too complex because the nonprofit agency did not have total control over the facility.

"It wasn't clear who had responsibility for what in terms of managing the facility," said Dan Watanabe, director of development and external affairs for Child and Family Service.

Watanabe estimated the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility contract to have been worth about $500,000.

Child and Family Service will continue its relationship with the state for other at-risk youth programs, Watanabe said.