Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government has proposed to return citizens of Samoa who have been sentenced to crimes in the territory back to Samoa to serve the duration of their sentencing at the Tanumalala prison in Samoa.
“The request was made during the Atoa o Samoa Talks,” said Samoa’s Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo in an interview with Samoa News.
He said the “American Samoa Government will fund the transfer and the duration of the sentence for Samoa citizens that will be sent over.”
The Minister said this issue was proposed during the Atoa o Samoa talks given that “at least 90 percent of prisoners at the Territorial Correctional Facility are from Samoa.”
Samoa News reached out to the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Loa Tauapa’i Mulipola for comments on ASG’s request, but there has been no response.
According to the Minister, the TCF is “overcrowded by Samoa citizens, but there are concerns about the legal aspect of jurisdiction. As you know deportees, once they arrived in Samoa they are free due to the issue of jurisdiction, unless there is an agreement between the two Governments.”
The request to transfer Samoa citizen prisoners to Samoa is nothing new. It was discussed during the last Samoa Talks in 2017.
Several years ago, former Commissioner of Public Safety, Le’i Sonny Thompson, said the overcrowding issue at TCF is due to 90 percent of inmates housed at the Facility are from Samoa.
Le’i told Samoa Observer at that time: “Samoa is a sovereign country. “They don’t have to accept anyone coming in and it’s up to Samoa what they want to do, but at the same time consider the fact that these are Samoa citizens.
“It is not logical for American Samoa to keep on feeding and caring for inmates from here (Samoa).”
But the Minister of Prisons at that time, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt did not agree.
“I will not entertain the idea of deporting back Samoa inmates to serve their time at Tafaigata.
“We don’t have a place for any additional inmates. We don’t have any funds to care for the additional inmates.
“What happens in Pago should stay in Pago.”
According to documents of the Two Samoa Talks in 2017 the issue was discussed.
It “recognized the need for improved information exchange between the Two Samoas relating to deportees.
“This information includes advance notice before the individual is deported, and to provide criminal records and health backgrounds.
“American Samoa is keen to see how the problem of its predominantly Samoa national prisoners could be addressed given its overcrowded prisons.
“Samoa advised that it is looking into legislation to address the deportee situation,” says the document.
Le’i said the American Samoa Government had appropriated $100,000 for TCF food and supplies through Department of Public Safety.
“Private Citizens and lawmakers usually drop off raw produce at TCF to assist with their sustenance throughout the year when they are in season. (i.e. Ulu, Taro, Banana, etc).
“The cost of maintenance per inmate regardless of ethnic background is estimated around $35 per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“However, DPS incurs significant debt from the hospital and other specialized facilities when inmates seek medical assistance,” said Thompson.
He told the Samoa Observer the financial burden was placed on the sponsor but there were instances when inmates being housed were overstayers because sponsors withdrew their sponsorship or couldn’t be located.
“So, the question is who carries the tab?
“Well, more often than not they charge Departments of Public Safety — TCF.
“The same goes for immigration inmates who have court cases pending and seek medical attention.
“It’s been an ongoing dialogue and we’re working to streamline these processes so DPS doesn’t get overwhelmed with the financial burden,” Le’i added.
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