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CEO Resigns At McNeil Island Lock-Up For Sexual Predators

The Special Commitment Center on McNeil island houses more than 252 sexually violent predators.
Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network
The Special Commitment Center on McNeil island houses more than 252 sexually violent predators.

The man in charge of Washington’s island-lock-up for sexual predators has resigned after two-and-a-half years on the job. Mark Strong submitted his resignation Friday as CEO of the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

In a statement, Strong said a leadership change is in the best interest of the facility as it seeks to improve its treatment and rehabilitation program.

Last year, the state was threatened with a lawsuit over the treatment of mentally ill sex offenders at the facility.

Washington's Department of Social and Health Services has already named a new CEO--he is the state’s former lead attorney on issues relating to the Special Commitment Center.

DSHS also announced Friday that it’s moving SCC’s headquarters from Steilacoom on the mainland to McNeil Island where the actual facility is located.

The SCC houses individuals who have been civilly committed after a court has determined them to be sexually violent predators likely to reoffend.

Last fall, Disability Rights Washington prepared, but ultimately didn’t file, a lawsuit against DSHS alleging the constitutional rights of mentally and developmentally disabled residents at the SCC were being violated.

At the time, Strong acknowledged shortcomings.

“We’re still falling short,” he said, “but we’re moving in the right direction.”

Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington State legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia." Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.