Thursday, February 12, 2004

Volunteer caught in report's storm
By GREGORY D. KESICH, Portland Press Herald Writer

At a legislative hearing last year, Corrections Commissioner Martin Magnusson hailed Dan Reardon, a longtime volunteer at the Long Creek Youth Development Center and the chairman of its board of visitors, as a key player in the effort to fix problems at the troubled institution.

On Thursday, Magnusson issued a report that suggested Reardon might have been part of the problem.

Reardon, Magnusson said, took sides in a factional rivalry among managers at the facility, adding to their disputes.

"His value has been in his interaction with the juveniles, but sometimes he has gotten involved with management as well," Magnusson said.

Reardon said it is true that in his years at the institution, he did take sides.

"I'm on the side of kids," Reardon said. "I've seen this as God's hand in my life. I'd like to continue doing that at Long Creek. I'm not apologizing."

Magnusson's report drew an angry response from Long Creek staff members, volunteers, residents and their families, who say it is not Reardon who stands in the way of change.

"It's a disgrace," said Stephen Farrell, a 22-year veteran employee who is the co-chairman of the union representing line staff. "This is a man who gets no money, who does this out of the goodness of his heart. To insinuate that he is a detriment to this institution in any way is a sin."

Farrell said Reardon is being targeted by managers who need to blame someone else for their failures.

Reardon began volunteering at the Maine Youth Center seven years ago, while the reports of abusive treatment of residents began making headlines. Then-governor Angus King asked Reardon, who had been the CEO of G.H. Bass & Co., to serve as the chairman of an official watchdog group and report back to him.

Reardon used that position to advocate for change while increasing his direct involvement with incarcerated youth, sometimes visiting the facility seven days a week.

Reardon cooks meals for residents, helps run support group sessions, and sometimes takes a few youths out of their living area to the cafeteria for a soda and some talk. He regularly takes people off grounds and keeps in touch with them after they are released.

"Dan is an amazing listener," said Tim Higgins, the Long Creek chaplain. "His work is totally kid-focused . . . if he sees a kid that is being mistreated by the institution, he points it out. If that's upsetting to someone, then sorry."

Ryan Nimblett, 18, said Reardon helped him when he was "lost in the system."

Nimblett, facing charges for possessing a gun, was locked in a section of the facility for youths who have not yet been committed to the center. He could not get a court date and so was denied access to most therapy or education programs.

"Dan actually stepped in and said this is ridiculous," Nimblett said. Reardon also helped Nimblett after he was sentenced to the center, and continued to visit him and talk about his plans.

Nimblett was released from Long Creek in August, and said Reardon helped him find a job. He plans to graduate from high school this spring.

The report will not damage Reardon's credibility with the Legislature, said Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland, who is chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee.

"If people are complaining, it means he's probably doing his job," Strimling said. "He will always be able to speed-dial my phone anytime he wants, because he has brought up things for us that have been invaluable."

Staff Writer Gregory D. Kesich can be contacted at 791-6336 or at: gkesich@pressherald.com

Back to Long Creek Articles