Engineering firm named for $17-M prison

The CNMI government has selected the San Francisco-based architectural and engineering firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum to design the proposed $17 million corrections facility.

However, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider , chair of the Prison Task Force, said building a new prison is not the answer to the increasing criminality in the island.

In fact, he said the government agencies and service providers must work together to overhaul the criminal justice system to make sure that the prison is not filled with inmates in a year’s time.

The design of the 344-bed prison facility is expected to be completed in 12 months. Construction is scheduled to begin next year and will be completed in 24 months.

Considered as the largest justice planning firm in the world, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum has been in the business of designing correctional facilities for 30 years now. The CNMI government has signed the contract with the firm whose representatives will visit the CNMI in March to meet with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and the Prison Task Force.

The island government has been castigated by federal officials for failing to improve prison conditions which have been the subject of complaints by several inmates.

Various factors were considered in planning for the facility such as building an in-house medical facility and separate areas for those considered under maximum and minimum security. It will house male and female inmates as well as accommodate immigration detainees.

While the construction of a prison facility is underway, the CNMI government must prepare for the drafting of a master plan for the overhaul of the criminal justice system.

Mr. Hofschneider said the Prison Task Force will request the governor empower the Criminal Justice Council created in 1989 to begin work on the master plan.

“Individually, the agencies are working but not in harmony with one another,” he added.

Currently, the whole justice system needs an efficient information system that will help in tracking down cases as some of which never got filed in court. Mr. Hofschneider said there is also a need to strengthen investigation and prosecution aspects as well as alternative sentencing to reduce jail overcrowding.

For example, he said some people facing DUI cases or those who are not considered a threat to the community may be asked to do community service so that the taxpayers money would not be wasted should they stay in the detention center.

In changing the CNMI’s Criminal Code, the Legislature must be first informed about the effect of changing the laws on the community. The governor is hoping that the amendment to the Criminal Code will be made soon to make it more relevant to the times.

The Department of Public Works contacted 347 architect and engineering firms, 47 from the U.S. mainland and five from foreign countries, to request proposals for the design of the facility.

Only 19 proposals were received by the department which was later on evaluated by a committee. Of this, the number was further reduced to four for final selection.

After interviewing representatives of four firms, the evaluation committee selected Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum as the most qualified firm.