Torres: We take complaints seriously

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his administration take complaints seriously, even lawsuits from inmates against the state.

Torres in a statement to Saipan Tribune said that his office is currently discussing with involved inmates and the Department of Corrections how to properly address their claims of maltreatment and inhumane conditions.

“The [Torres] administration addresses all complaints—including lawsuits—in a very serious fashion, and our DOC through proper legal counsel looks forward to working with the inmates to further discuss their concerns in a fair and expedited manner for both sides,” said a statement from the Torres administration, adding that they could not comment further without first confirming and understanding the allegations.

In a letter dated March 25 and 28, 2018 to the U.S. District Court for the NMI, Jesse James B. Camacho and Xu Guang Li alleged that the living environments in the DOC were not ideal.

Camacho alleged that a fellow inmate, who is ill and is unable to care for himself, had to use diapers. DOC, however, refused to provide sufficient cleaning supplies for the diapers or to eliminate the odor from the facility.

Li in his letter said that he asked DOC officers for air fresheners but was ignored. He added that when he attempted to speak to the “boss,” he was shackled, thrown in the bunk, and had his wheelchair taken away.

Camacho in his letter added that DOC lacked physicians or registered nurses at the facility and inconsistent and missing medicine. In addition to that, Camacho said inmates were getting skin disease from their uniforms due to how their uniforms are cleaned; described a lacking disciplinary system that fails to benefit inmates through assignments or work duty; and no education programs despite the adequate funding.

In response to the letter, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona said that while the inmates made clear and non-frivolous case, they failed to mention who they want to be held liable.

Manglona said that while most of their allegations are possibly a violation in the Eighth Amendment’s guarantee to be free from inhumane confinement conditions resulting from deliberate indifference of officials, complaints against the disciplinary system as well as the lack of education programs did not state a claim.

Manglona ordered Camacho and Li to specify individual government officers and government entities they are suing through a written statement.