http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2564302New push for camp regulation
At-risk teens: A Utah organization could see closer federal oversight
By Robert Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
WASHINGTON - President Bush's new attorney general says the Justice Department may take a more active role in oversight of boot camp programs for troubled teens.
The comments by Alberto Gonzales came in response to a question submitted by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Miller has been pressing the Justice Department unsuccessfully to investigate allegations of abuse at World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP), a Utah-based chain of programs for at-risk teens.
?Mr. Gonzales' comments suggest he will be more sensitive to this serious situation than the Justice Department has been to this point,? Miller said in a statement. ?I will be watching carefully to ensure that he fulfills the commitments he has made in response to these questions.?
In his written responses to questions during his confirmation process, Gonzales said the Justice Department would work to engage states and directors of private facilities to ensure children are protected. If cases of inappropriate or abusive practices cannot be resolved, they may be referred to the Civil Rights or Criminal divisions at the department for action, Gonzales said.
Previously, former Attorney General John Ashcroft had responded to Miller's inquiries by stating that the department lacked the authority to investigate abuse allegations at private facilities.
Ken Kay, president of WWASP, said he has invited Miller's staff to visit the WWASP schools and would welcome the attorney general if he wanted to visit, but ?unnecessary government intrusion is never the answer.?
?I, and all our affiliates, maintain that our No. 1 concern is always for the safety of our students and children in general,? Kay said. ?I would be more than willing to be part of any fact finding committee with members of the [attorney general's] staff.?
There are seven schools in the WWASP network, including three in Utah.
One of WWASP's facilities, Majestic Ranch in northern Utah, was investigated by state officials three times last year, resulting in one conviction. Others have been shut down, including Casa By The Sea, which was closed by Mexican authorities last September.
Last week, a committee in the Utah Legislature approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, that would toughen state regulation of the schools.
WWASP founder Robert Lichfield, his family and business partners have given more than $1 million to politicians in the last two election cycles, including hundreds of thousands to Utah officeholders and candidates.
