Too much attention to prison project criticized Rep. Jones says ‘priority project’ impedes funding for other infrastructure

The new prison project in Susupe has drawn close scrutiny by the chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations over construction and operation costs in line with legislative review of the government budget for FY 2001.

Committee chair Rep. Dino M. Jones expressed concern that the prison, whose construction is estimated to cost at least $22 million, has taken priority in funding allocation by the government over other pressing needs in the community.

In a letter to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, he sought detailed information as to the breakdown of costs, including anticipated expenditures for its operations once the project is completed.

“[T]he information. . .will be helpful as we continue deliberations on the government’s appropriation requirements for upcoming and subsequent years,” Mr. Jones told the governor.

The House Committee on Ways and Means is currently in the midst of deliberating on the administration’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year which amounts to about $217 million for budgetary needs of the three branches of the government.

Although he did not say how the prison project will impact on the FY 2001 spending package, the lawmaker asked the following from Mr. Tenorio as part of the request:

• estimated completion costs and target date of the adult prison and crime laboratory;

• costs of furnishing the new facilities and whether the CNMI or the federal government or both will finance purchase of necessary equipment and amenities;

• yearly operational costs such as security, housekeeping, maintenance, personnel, meals and others; and

• source of funding to operate the whole prison and its financial impact on other programs and services being delivered by the government to the community.

According to Mr. Jones, initial estimates placed construction cost of the adult prison at over $15 million in both CNMI and federal appropriations. “I am not aware if considerations were made concerning the costs for its operations,” he added.

Priority

In apparent attempt to underline how other programs are being affected with the utmost priority given to the new prison, the JGO chairman noted that he even had to forego his efforts to identify funding for other vital infrastructure projects.

He cited his appeal to Mr. Tenorio last year to set aside $2.1 million from the $8.4 million earlier allocated for the adult prison project for much-needed water improvement projects in his district in northern Saipan.

“While not objecting to the need for an improved prison facility, I am however concerned that the project is taking priority in funding allocation to many other more pressing community programs such as water and other utility services,” Mr. Jones told the governor.

In unveiling the state-of-the-art and modern design of the new Susupe prison in June, the task force created by Mr. Tenorio to handle the project has underscored the need for additional funding for its upkeep and operations.

The facility, to be erected on a 100,000 square feet of land in the existing Susupe prison, will meet the terms and requirements of a consent decree forged by the CNMI with the U.S. Department of Justice two years ago following findings of inhuman and deplorable conditions at the present jails.

It will house the adult prison, the immigration detention as well as medical and psychiatric ward interconnected under the low- building. A separate juvenile facility will be built in Kagman.

According to Prison Task Force Chair Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, the two projects will be needing additional $10 million to address all the phases of the construction.

About $17 million have been allotted by the government so far from federal construction grants and local matching funds under the CIP/Covenant 702 agreement.