Previous Story
Immigration’s use of DYS facility temporary
|
Posted on Jul 22 2004
If their transfer pushes through, immigration detainees would stay at the juvenile detention facility only until the adult prison project in Susupe is complete.
Immigration director Antonio Sablan said the planned use of the Division of Youth Services correctional facility in Kagman for immigration detainees would only be temporary, given the expected completion of the adult prison in December.
“The adult prison will have space solely for immigration detainees once it’s done. We just need to use the DYS facility because it is new and more appropriately designed for detention purposes, and has more available bed spaces,” Sablan said.
As of Wednesday, there were eight male and three female detainees at the immigration detention in As Perdido, he added.
The number of detainees is expected to increase, though, when the Division of Immigration starts arresting 154 illegally staying member of the garment class action suit, which reached a settlement last year.
The new $5-million DYS facility, which has two buildings that can each house 22 people, has only three juvenile detainees at present.
Sablan also bared plans of subsequently shutting down the immigration facility when the detainees are transferred.
“We will use the building for alternative purposes, and then completely shut it down when our lease agreement with the property owner expires sometime next year,” he said.
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs earlier expressed concerns about the planned transfer of immigration detainees to the DYS facility, noting the possible impact on youth offenders at the detention.
Opened in January, the juvenile correctional facility is equipped with electronic surveillance system and meeting rooms, as well as recreational areas such as craft rooms, a library and a large outdoor fenced space.
Attorney general Pamela S. Brown said the plan aims to maximize the use of available government resources.
She also assured DCCA that there would be sight and sound barriers separating the juvenile and immigration detainee populations once the plan is implemented. She said the plan would adhere to policies of the Justice Department and local laws.
