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Inmates move to temporary prison facility By LUCY ROSARIO
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Posted on Jan 06 2000
Some 20 inmates have been transferred to the new temporary prison facility in Susupe as part of the January 1999 consent decree between the Commonwealth government and the US Department of Justice.
The temporary facility, which cost about $3 million, was constructed to provide better shelter to prisoners who used to occupy the old typhoon house considered sub-standard and hazardous by federal authorities.
The facility is equipped with airconditioning system, beds, visiting room, toilet and bathroom and dining area.
“This is part of the consent decree. We are required to improve the facility for the health and safety of the inmates,” said Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, chair of the Prison Task Force.
Last week, minimum security inmates moved in to the new building behind the office of the Department of Public Safety which was destroyed during a prison takeover last February.
The CNMI government has been under fire due to its poor prison facility which has drawn concerns from the federal government. Several inmates had protested in the past what they described as inhuman conditions inside the corrections.
Mr. Hofschneider said the Division of Youth Service detention in Kagman is 90 percent complete, while the immigration detention near the Saipan International Airport is almost finished.
Under the consent decree, the Northern Marianas will construct a new prison that will also include immigration and juvenile detention centers.
According to Mr. Hofschneider, the contractor for the permanent facility will be selected in week. Bidding for the $15 million project started late November and selection is underway, he said.
“The current administration is a little bit behind but not monumentally problematic in terms of health and safety of the inmates,” the task force chair explained. “Renovations are still going on and they are on scheduled. I think we have fulfilled the requirements,” he added.
Construction of the permanent facility is expected to begin in April 2001 and will be completed sometime in 2003.
