Camp Sierra Blanca Breakout Prompts Policy Changes

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) – The state Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)will notify Ruidoso-area radio stations about any escapes from Camp Sierra Blanca.

CYFD Secretary-designate Dorian Dodson says the department will provide law enforcement agencies with descriptions of any escapees from the juvenile lockup.

Local officials will then decide if and when the descriptions are released to the public. Dodson says her department usually defers to local law enforcement agencies on notifying the public about escapes.

She says the department is prohibited by state law from publicizing descriptions of teens in state custody, even if they are escapees. A number of Ruidoso residents have asked why they weren’t notified when two boys walked away from Camp Sierra Blanca on September 17th.

The boys were later captured.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-10-18-06 0946EDT