Senate hopes future DOC chief lasts

Sen. Francisco Cruz (R-Tinian) hopes the next Corrections commissioner would last longer than his or her predecessors.

During Friday’s public hearing by the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on the nomination of acting DOC commissioner Vincent Attao, Cruz said he was able to approve three Corrections chiefs during his career as a senator.

“I hope that this nominee [Attao] stays awhile, or until the term of the governor ends. I’ve confirmed one after the other but [for some reason] they [opt] to discontinue that responsibility,” said Cruz.

Attao has been serving as acting Corrections commissioner since Torres appointed him last May 22, 2017, replacing former Corrections commissioner Lino Tenorio who was removed from his post by Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog.

Attao plans to focus on programs to rehabilitate inmates. “Rehabilitative treatment programs would be one of the foremost goals we try to look at,” he said. “Whether it’s a trades program, or another program.”