Opioid task force meeting discusses youth offenders

WASILLA — Those attending the Sept. 5 Mat-Su Opioid Task Force meeting learned how the justice system works for young people finding themselves in trouble with the law. They also were educated on Mat-Su Pretrial facility’s detox protocol.

Lisa Albert-Konecky and Deejana Engle were first up focusing on the youth court and juvenile justice system. They explained the youth court not only serves youth offenders, but is also run by youths.

The women explained that youths interested in serving on the court take classes offered by volunteer attorneys and judges. Albert-Konecky said those students take the responsibility of serving quite serious.

The court is is conducted at the Palmer Courthouse and proceedings are confidential and conducted just like a public court, only run by students. All hearings, including sentence hearings are overseen by the participating students as are defense “attorneys”.

Albert-Konecky said about 90 percent of those opting for Youth Court are marijuana offenders. A majority of the sentences are community service and participants are usually given 30 days to complete their assigned tasks.

“We rarely see repeat offenders,” said Engle. “But sometimes there is no choice and they are usually placed on (regular-court) probation.”

Amber Martin, a former “client” of the juvenile justice system, said she first got into trouble with the law at 13. She is now 30. She said following her first offense, she was placed on probation.

“That didn’t scare me enough,” Martin said. “I grew up in a good home.”

But around the age of 10, she said family issues led to a lack of supervision landed her in McLaughlin Youth Center in Anchorage. The facility offers community-based detention for arrested juveniles who are not a serious public risk.

“I was in for two months and ended up with an elaborate plan to break out. The probation officer caught us,” Martin said.

After her stint there, she returned home and got involved in drugs. More trouble with the law landed her a five-year sentence at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River. One of the center’s offerings, a service dog program, saved her life, Martin said.

“All of my energies were focused there. Once I changed my thinking, I was able to redirect my life,” Martin said. She said finding something that holds and engages a young person is key to their recovery.

Engle said the program utilizes the carrot-and-stick approach.

“We have graduated responses,” Engle said.

Jan Jenski was next up explaining the process for those entering Mat-Su Pretrial. She said new medical screening as inmates enter the facility are designed to help point out anyone coming in that may be withdrawing from drug or alcohol use.

“If there’s a question, then they are immediately taken to the hospital,” said Jenski. “We check to see if they are healthy enough for incarceration.”

Jenski said that includes a full health screening. She said any inmate showing deemed well enough for admission but showing withdrawal symptoms are monitored and seen by medical staff at least three times daily. Any needed medications are also administered multiple times each day. Jenski said inmates required additional monitoring are placed in one of three cells equipped with cameras that allow employees round-the-clock access to every move made by the inmate.

Jenski said detoxing inmates are never moved to another facility as that would interrupt the necessary continuum of care. She said alcohol withdrawal is usually more severe and short-term than opioids.

“We do the best we can,” Jenski said.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com