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Torres: DOC’s unused beds can generate $5.9M a year if allowed to house “out of state” inmates
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Posted on Jun 09 2023
Anthony C. Torres
The Department of Corrections has over 200 beds that are not being used and may collect $5.9 million per year to house inmates who are from outside of the CNMI, according to DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres yesterday.
Speaking at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on DOC’s proposed 2024 budget, Torres said they are currently housing 180 inmates and the facility can handle up to 500 inmates.
He said if they are able to acquire the number of beds needed, they could probably can house up to 520 to 530 inmates.
The commissioner said if they can use the 200 unused beds to house “out of state” inmates or those from outside the CNMI like from Guam, this could generate some revenue for DOC.
Torres said the current federal per diem for DOC is $82 per inmate per day. At 200 inmates at $82, that will bring approximately $16,400 a day, or $5.9 million per year.
The commissioner said they, however, need legislation to allow DOC to house inmates who are from outside the CNMI.
He said Guam is hurting and their corrections facility is overcrowded.
Torres said Guam has inmates who, especially after a typhoon, might need to be re-housed. Instead of sending their inmates to Honolulu, why not send them to Saipan, he asked.
In response to the inquiry of Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan), the commissioner said if that’s something they could look at, it would be based on handpicked, non-violent offenders who are healthy, and young.
