Report criticizes management at South Portland youth center

SOUTH PORTLAND – A recent report has found that Maine’s only state-run adolescent detention center suffers from management problems and a deep division among its workers.

The report, written by the state, is the second report on conditions at the Long Creek Youth Development Center. The first concentrated on the treatment of incarcerated youths.

The report recommends that the removal of Lars Olsen, who was supervisor of the center until he was temporarily transferred out, be made permanent. It is a recommendation that Gov. John Baldacci’s administration plans to follow.

The report details a number of management problems, chief among which is Olsen, whom it states is not the person to lead the center at this time.

“Virtually none of the people interviewed, including those who admire him, felt he could return to the superintendent’s position,” the report stated.

Though state Corrections Commissioner Martin Magnusson credits Olsen for improvements at the center, he agrees that Olsen needs to go.

“There’s times when somebody goes into a facility that needs major change, has to be very direct, has to move fast on things, can’t please everybody,” Magnusson said last week. “And then it’s time for other management characteristics and skills.”

Magnusson plans to issue a response to the report.

A search for a new superintendent began Wednesday.

In addition, Magnusson said personnel reviews are under way that will hold all staff accountable. Firings remain a possibility.

The two reports were commissioned after a lawsuit was field in October by a former inmate of what was then called the Maine Youth Center. The lawsuit alleged that the boy, then 13, was held in isolation for well over half of his first 6 months at the facility.

Baldacci transferred Olsen to other duties afterward, pending the outcome of the reviews.

Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland, chair of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee, said he is concerned about Long Creek and would take testimony on the two reports.