After nearly 50 years of housing juvenile offenders in rural Byron, the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Center should be closed, according to a Contra Costa grand jury report.

In the recently released report titled "County Youth Rehabilitation Center is on Life Support: It's Time to Pull the Plug,"the grand jury details an investigation into the 50-acre ranch's programs, operations and facility. The minimum security facility, formerly known as the Byron Boys' Ranch, is accused of not rehabilitating residents properly and numerous health code violations.

"Many of the treatment programs or services listed in the handbook are inadequate or unavailable," grand jury forewoman Leslie Lea says. "The grand jury just felt that the boys' ranch is not cost-effective, and is not accomplishing its primary mission of rehabilitation."

The grand jury recommends closing the center to save the county up to $5 million annually. The center can hold 100 residents, and supporters say its programs are needed now more than ever.

Ranch founder and youth advocate Orin Allen says the report fails to mention the facility's successful programs.

"I don't think Contra Costa County will want to give up on these youngsters. This county has been the most sensitive to the needs of all youngsters," Allen said.

County Supervisor Mary Piepho agrees, adding that the report focuses on monetary savings and not people. Piepho, whose district includes the ranch,


applauds the facility's recreational and educational programs, including a new library funded by community donations.

"These are young men who made a poor choice or wrong decision. The effort is to expose them to a world beyond what they have experienced," Piepho says. "(The report) is an opinion on something that doesn't provide the information behind it or the personal element. We need to be responsive, and correct deficiencies where we can."

The county probation department has 90 days to respond to the report from when it was issued about a month ago, while county supervisors have 60 days.

The report mentions that nine residents escaped from the center last year, costing $1,500 an hour to capture them. The grand jury suggests that Martinez's juvenile hall can house the youths in Byron.

"It is out in the country and it is nice but if their programs aren't working and it is costing the county $5 million, that money can be better spent elsewhere in the county," Lea says.

The grand jury criticizes the center for its outdated equipment and dilapidated grounds, but those who work with the youths say the main priority is the residents and not the aging facility.

"It costs a lot of money to incarcerate human beings, and that is what happens if you don't focus on rehabilitation," librarian Alison McKee says. "The kids say they feel safe there. Many of them come from unsafe environments. It is important to provide a safe place where they can grow."

Paula King covers East County. Reach her at 925-779-7189 or pking@bayareanewsgroup.com.

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