House refers bill to authorize salaries for inmates back to committee

The full House of Representatives unanimously voted to refer House Bill 23-64 House Substitute 1 back to committee to be amended.

Last Friday, the House of Representatives held a regular session where they discussed the passage of H.B. No. 23-64, HS1 “to authorize local inmates in the CNMI Department of Corrections to be paid for work they perform while imprisoned”.

According to floor leader Rep. Ralph Yumul (Ind-Saipan), pursuant to the request of the bill’s author Rep. Manny Castro (Ind-Saipan), he recommended that the bill be referred back to the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations.

Castro explained that the request is pursuant to an amended version of the bill that is available.

“We have an amended version and it’s only fair that the amended version is available to the public, so we want to bring it back to committee,” he said.

The recommendation was unanimously passed by the house and the bill has been referred back to the JGO committee.

According to a previous statement from Castro, this critical legislation represents a proactive step toward enhancing rehabilitation efforts and fostering community safety.

“The bill seeks to provide inmates with the opportunity to earn wages of up to $1 per hour for their labor, helping them develop essential work skills and instill a sense of financial responsibility. This approach is aligned with the Commonwealth’s commitment to preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society, significantly reducing recidivism rates in the process,” said Castro.

Castro adds that the success of the DOC’s outreach program serves as a testament to the potential impact of this initiative.

“Over the past year, the outreach program has facilitated numerous workshops and job training sessions, yielding positive results for participants who have demonstrated increased employability and reintegration success. This proven model highlights the effectiveness of structured programs in fostering personal growth and reducing recidivism,” he said.

“The success of our outreach programs demonstrates that when we invest in rehabilitation, we all benefit. This legislation is about more than just providing wages; it’s about transforming lives and strengthening our community,” Castro added.

Castro notes that the key benefits of H.B. 23-64, HS1, promotes skill development, financial responsibility, support for victims, enhance public safety, and strengthens community ties.