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Lack of counselors for 210 inmates worries lawmakers
Lawmakers have expressed concern over the fact that the Department of Corrections only has one counselor for 210 inmates and 112 Corrections workers.
According to Corrections Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero, the expansion of the DOC’s personnel is one of the priorities of his department.
Guerrero and other DOC officials faced lawmakers on Friday for a budget hearing for the department. The DOC has proposed a budget of $4.6 million, which is slightly higher than the $3.8 million proposed allocation from the government.
Rep. Joseph “Lee Pan” Guerrero (R-Saipan) said one counselor “won’t work” for the DOC’s 210 inmates, including juveniles.
“Many of these inmates are ‘old-timers,’ and that at least two counselors should be there,” the lawmaker said.
He said he “is not satisfied” with the government’s $3.8 million allocation and that the department needs more funding.
Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) echoed his colleague’s call, saying the government should put more resources to the DOC.
The Corrections chief said he “understands the government’s financial hardships,” which is why his proposed budget is only slightly higher than what was allocated by the government.
“We would, of course, welcome two or three more counselors,” he said, adding that he would want more funds. “But we would have to live within our means, and still address the issues that we have,” he said.
Aside from personnel, Guerrero said the other major concerns are food for the inmates, power, communications, and fuel, among others.
