ACLU alleges
abuse of young gay inmates

Saying widespread abuse at a Hawaii juvenile prison is putting the lives of gay prisoners at risk, the American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal court to order the mistreatment stopped at once. The ACLU of Hawaii filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, which asks for immediate action in the midst of a case and could force the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility to implement staff training and new policies to ensure the safety of gay, lesbian, and transgender inmates. The injunction request corresponds with a permanent injunction the group is seeking on the matter.

The ACLU's complaint describes verbal, physical, and sexual torment of LGBT prisoners by fellow inmates and correctional officers. "When [the youths] turn to the administration, the administration tells them they're disgusting. The only solution they can come up with is to put these teenagers in isolation," said Tamara Lange, senior ACLU staff attorney. "[The conditions] will drive LGBT kids to suicide or at least try to kill themselves--the kids have no one to turn to except the staff, which are part of the problem, not part of the solution." A hearing on the preliminary injunction request is set for October 31. (Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)