the Territory during the entire war. At the close of the war, in 1945, I was appointed as the first full-time commissioner of health for the Territory of Alaska. As one of the witnesses appearing before this committee, I should like to express my appreciation that this committee has asked Alaskans about this subject. We are confident, that, as a result of these hearings, we will be given every consideration by the Congress to help Alaska meet the problems in connection with juvenile delinquency that are presently in existence in Alaska or those that might arise due to the conditions that are always peculiar to or are associated with a rapidly growing frontier country. IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING DELINQUENCY As a witness, it is not my intention to comment specifically on the juvenile delinquency problem within Alaska, nor the extent of the problem or what is being done to meet it, because, other witnesses, much more closely in contact with the situation will amply present that aspect of the question. As the commissioner of health I have a constant interest and responsibility in furthering all of my efforts toward the prevention of any undesirable situation, even to a situation such as juvenile delinquency. Certainly we would all agree that if we could prevent its occurrence, we would feel that we had accomplished a great deal, and our efforts would have been most effective. Everyone is in agreement that the environment in which a child is reared and lives, is bound to have a great effect upon his or her normal development or growth. If this environment is abnormal, it certainly may lead to abnormal tendencies in a child, and develop abnormal behavior patterns. The department of health as such, cannot do a great deal about the environment in which the child lives, but we are concerned with another factor that may predispose to juvenile delinquency, namely the mental and physical health of the individual. I should like to report to the committee that a great deal of effort is being put forth to improve conditions by health agencies and groups within Alaska, which include Federal and Territorial agencies; the professional groups, medical and nursing; the hospitals and the several voluntary health associations which we have throughout the Territory. Although we are still burdened with some very serious health conditions, by and large, things are very much better than they were, and conditions are continuing to improve. NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH The area in which we feel ourselves least prepared to cope with our problems, is in the maintenance of good mental health of our people. It is not so much that Alaskans do not recognize that much needs to be done in this area, but we are handicapped in coping with the situation by reason of our Territorial status, with the attendant Federal controls that result therefrom. You have undoubtedly had it brought to your attention already, that the care of the mentally ill of Alaska is entirely vested in the power of the Congress of the United States. In the original Organic Act, under which our Territorial government was established, the care of the mentally ill of Alaska was specifically mentioned as being retained by the Congress. You have also undoubtedly heard that the Alaskans are endeavoring to have this situation corrected through the enactment of a bill in Congress, which is referred to as the Alaska mental health bill. In brief, this bill provides for a correction of the antiquated, archaic, inhumane methods of commitment and the handling of our mentally ill. But it goes much further for it places a responsibility upon the people of Alaska and its government, by granting authority and responsibility to develop a comprehensive program for the care of mentally ill individuals. It further provides for initial assistance from the Federal Government in the establishment of necessary facilities within the Territory, where, of necessity, early care must be given, by providing grants to the Territory, both in funds, and in land. Juvenile delinquency does not by any means imply that the juvenile who is delinquent is necessarily mentally ill. The probabilities, however, are that when a child has some abnormal characteristics and behavior patterns, maladjustment, frustration, or psychoneurosis, and it is recognized early, and if the child is given some sincere, patient, kindly consideration and treatment, delinquent complications might never arise. This is a principle that has been advocated by specialists in this field for a long time and we in Alaska recognize it as being an unmet need. EARLY PASSAGE ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH BILL URGED It is our suggestion that this committee give consideration to the Alaska mental-health bill, which is now before Congress, as an immediate and urgent step that could be taken as one measure to help in staving off a serious juvenile delinquency problem in Alaska. When this bill is enacted, it will make it possible for us to obtain the necessary trained persons, in sufficient numbers, so that it will be possible for us to hold clinics, to which juveniles may be referred to give them the necessary early assistance through patient consideration of their problems, directing them toward making wholesome plans and participating in worthwhile activities, and if the necessity arises, giving them early treatment to prevent more serious mental conditions arising, which might lead to permanent injury and damage. We have made a beginning, by employing 1 full-time psychiatrist, 2 psychologists, and 2 psychiatric social workers in the Alaska department of health. Without the necessary facilities to work in, and without the correction of the inhumane, archaic legal procedures now in effect, the work and efforts of this small number has been much less effective and worthwhile than it should be. In reviewing the legislative history of the Alaska mental-health bill, the committee will find that it has had a very rough go of it. The reasons for this have varied. On of the reasons has been that there are always those who do not desire change, wishing to retain the old methods, even as outmoded as they might be. A second reason has been lack of understanding and appreciation of the importance of this type of legislation for the people of Alaska. The current status of the Alaska mental-health bill has discouraged Alaskans to a very marked degree, because delays have resulted from the fact that political implications and pressures have become involved in its passage. Unless a broader and more humanitarian point of view is taken, the bill may be again lost and valuable time wasted, and the situation will remain uncorrected. In a recent article in the Juneau Empire, there was expressed the concern Alaskans have that this bill may be delayed in its passage. "HEALTH CHIEF URGES ALASKANS TO HELP PUSH MENTAL MEASURE "By Dr. C. Earl Albrecht, Territorial commissioner of health "There are very few matters in Alaska that are receiving more serious attention on the part of Alaskans everywhere than their interest and desire to have their mental-health problems improved. Nearly every community, even many of the smaller ones, have in someway come close to the problems that arise from the present handling of a mentally ill person. It seems unnecessary to review the present archaic, inhumane method of managing these cases. because these facts have frequently been brought out into the open. Again, Alaskans are actively supporting the enactment of Federal legislation which will correct this unsatisfactory procedure. "Now Alaskans are hopeful again, because we have heard that the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee reported out an Alaska mental-health bill. But it came out of the committee by a divided vote. This is distressing to Alaskans, because it is hard for them to understand why a matter which pertains to the health of their relatives, neighbors, and friends could have any possible political implications. "For some Alaskans this is a matter of life and death. The present law which is a Federal law under which Alaskans are now subjected, meant the life of a mother in the Federal jail in Juneau several years ago. She was the mother of children who have now become beneficiaries of the Government as a result of her suicidal death in the jail during an excitement phase of her mental depression. "Had it been possible for her to have been hospitalized within Alaska in the first stages of her illness, we are told by authorities and specialists in psychiatry that she might very well have been treated and returned to her family. But she is dead because of her improper care and disturbed mental condition. The correction of this situation is indeed a matter of life and death for Alaskans. "Incidents of this kind have aroused Alaskans everywhere and strong appeals have been made to the Department of Interior, the Public Health Service, and the Congress that an adequate Alaska mental-health bill be passed by Congress. Only then will it be possible for a comprehensive mental care program to be established within Alaska. "The present administration through the Department of Interior and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, with the approval of the Bureau of the Budget has placed before the subcommittees of the House of Representatives a very adequate bill. And yet, Alaskans read that this bill, which has administration support, has developed political implications and as a result has a very stormy course before the Rules Committee and the House of Representatives when it is up for passage. "It is considered that the bill before the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives is a good bill. I believe that it should be enacted promptly without political implications and have the support of both parties. This bill has the support of the Federal administration and the executive branches concerned; it has the strong support of Gov. B. Frank Heintzleman, Delegate E. L. Bartlett, the Alaska Department of Health, numerous societies, medical groups, ministerial associations, legislative committees, members of the joint house and senate committee of the Alaska Legislature. "With this overwhelming unanimity of opinion, over and above political considerations, it is hard for Alaskans to understand if this much needed legislation is not enacted. "Alaskans do have faith, however, and believe that when full consideration is given by the House and Senate of our Congress, they will by an overwhelming majority, hastily enact the Alaska mental health bill. We must look to each and every Member of the House and Senate of the United States Congress as our special representative, and we must appeal to each one individually to give this matter his serious attention." We Alaskans recognize full well, that this type of legislation is unusual, but we have been forced to this procedure because of the organic act, which makes it necessary for us to go to the Congress to correct the outdated procedures and the antiquated legislation. We further recognize, full well that it is unusual to appeal to the Congress for Federal financial assistance in helping to meet our mental-health problem. The question is asked "Why should Alaska have assistance when other areas do not?" But Alaska needs this assistance, again because of the position the Federal Government has placed it in. For example, the vast resources of this great Territory, consisting of most all of its land masses, are still under the direct control of the Federal agencies. Its resources are, therefore, not available as yet to Alaskans as sources of income. If they were, it would make it possible for us to meet our own costs, excessive as they are, for the care of the mentally ill. For many years it has been pointed out by different officials from Alaska, that if the Territory were granted the income from the net profit of the sale of the Alaska seal certainly one of Alaska's own natural resources, rather than have the funds go directly into the Federal Treasury, it would be possible for Alaska to meet some of these health problems. ALASKA A DEFENSE BULWARK It is thus evident, Alaska is placed in an unusual situation. Alaska certainly is in a strategic location in world power politics. It must be a defense bulwark, so we must have healthy, strong, manpower to develop this great country, and to strengthen and build its defenses. To build and maintain this health and strength it is going to cost much more in every way than it will in other areas under the American flag. This committee should be told that I realize that the enactment of the Alaska mental-health bill is not, by any means, the answer to all that is needed to prevent the occurrence of juvenile delinquency, but I am persuaded that it is a first and most urgent step that Congress needs to take to help make this aspect in the preventive program of juvenile delinquency effective. Much needs to be done, after the act is passed, but this is an urgent emergency step that needs to be taken. ALASKA JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND PENAL SYSTEM Before I close my testimony, there are two other aspects of this whole problem, which I would like to refer to and that is that I believe that our judicial system in Alaska needs to be strengthened and improved. Somewhat in connection with this is that our penal system, by that I mean our Federal and municipal jails, need much improvement. When the juvenile delinquent reaches the point that he becomes involved with the judicial system or the penal system, unless these are working efficiently at a high level with good standards, it is inevitable that a profoundly bad impression will be made upon the juvenile. One of the most glaring deficiencies in Alaska, in our Federal judiciary system, is the deplorable shortage of Federal judges. The very fine Judges that we have are far overworked and overburdened and they are carrying a responsibility far in excess of what any human being should be expected to carry. This has resulted in unbelievably long delays before trials. I have seen young men and women held in our Federal jails (which in some instances, are shocking and barbaric places in which to be retained for long periods of time) in the same large bay or building as the case may be without any form of isolation from hardened criminals. It is indeed unfortunate that a juvenile must be placed in jail at all. But if the juvenile must be placed there we ought to bend every effort towards making the period of imprisonment, particularly that before trial, conducive to improving the situation rather than making it worse. Therefore, it would seem well for this committe to look into the Federal jail system in Alaska as well as taking steps to strengthen the Federal judicial system. URGES ENACTMENT S. 728, THE DELINQUENT CHILDREN'S ACT OF 1955 In conclusion I should like to state that I have received the subcommittee print of S. 728, which is a bill to provide for assistance to and cooperation with the States in strengthening and improving State and local programs for the diminu tion, control, and treatment of juvenile delinquency. I should like to offer my urgent appeal that this legislation, which I have read completely, be enacted into law at the earliest possible date. I join with those who believe that this is such an important national problem, that the Federal Government and the State and Territorial governments must cooperate in meeting the problem. This bill not only emphasizes the importance of strengthening and improving State and Territorial and local programs, but also provides some assistance from the Federal Government through the establishment of grants-in-aid, the formation of a Federal advisory council, provides funds for the training of personnel employed, or preparing for employment in programs for the control and treatment of juvenile delinquency and provides for grants for special projects to develop and improve techniques and practices in the control and treatment of juvenile delinquency. This form of legislation should be enacted, by all means, and would be of immeasurable assistance to Alaska. (Whereupon, at 9:45 p. m., the subcommittee adjourned to reconvene at the call of the Chair.) INDEX Education: Dafoe, Don M., commissioner of education, Territory of Alaska.... Elective Governor : American Legion, resolution of---. Banfield, Norman, legislative counsel, American Legion_. Page 297 185, 199 19 15 Federal Government facilities: MacKinnon, Simpson, Jr., Juneau Cham- Fish and wildlife: Anderson, Al, executive director, Alaska Resources Development Anderson, C. L., director, Territorial department of fisheries, 58 236 250, 262 King, Leonard, president, Haines Business Council, Haines_- 125 101 Rhode, Clarence, area supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Depart- 152, 162 Health and public welfare: Hayman, Charles, M. D., deputy commissioner of the Alaska Depart- 345 Morris, Marjorie, director, division of social service, Alaska Depart- Anderson, Al, executive director, Alaska Resources Development Cowling, Robert, boat harbor committee, Juneau Chamber of Dodd, J. C., Alaska Plywood Corp. and Columbia Lumber Co., Juneau... Albrecht, C. Earl, M. D., Alaska Commissioner of Health, concerning 356 American Legion, resolution of__. 17 Banfield, Norman, legislative counsel, American Legion.......... 14 53 332 353 Mining and mineral resources: Anderson, Al, executive director, Alaska Resources Development Eastaugh, Fred, president, Alaska Chamber of Commerce_ 221, 230 85 |