Corrections Dept. proposes new jail — some buildings over 50 years old

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Department of Corrections has made a proposal to the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASDEA ) for $7.11 million to build a new jail facility. 

The proposal is outlined in a letter sent to the ASDEA Board Chairman, Vice President of the Senate, Magalei Logovi’i Magalei by the director, Palaita Tusi Suiaunoa.

The Director noted that their facilities urgently need renovations, upgrades, new infrastructure, an academy for training, and safety equipment. 

“While most of our housing units are over 50 years old, they require immediate attention to modernize their infrastructure.

“Our department oversees a fluctuating population of 250 inmates with court-mandated charges ranging from criminal to misdemeanor offenses. “The department operates to provide maximum safety and security around the clock. To ensure these services are effective, durable, and stable, facilities are essential to protect those we serve. Further details are outlined in the attached proposal.” 

Attached to the letter is the proposal which states its primary focus is on rehabilitation, safety, and security for the incarcerated.

“Currently, we serve a population of 250 adult inmates and two juvenile detainees. We serve an underserved group from diverse backgrounds. Through cases involving drug abuse, behavioral issues, and assaults, we focus on ensuring safety and security and regularly review the programs and treatments available to these individuals.

“Our department is divided into three divisions to ensure comprehensive coverage of all our operations and services. Our main responsibilities include providing counseling services, implementing grant-funded programs, and offering administrative support that helps the department carry out its duties and activities.” 

The proposal noted this is the only facility in the territory that functions as both a correctional institution and a prison. 

“This department has unique responsibilities that set it apart from others. We serve the incarcerated population by ensuring sentences are carried out and court orders enforced. 

“Managing a prison requires a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach focused on security, human rights, rehabilitation, and inmate reintegration. “These high expectations bring specific challenges, such as severe underfunding leading to poor infrastructure, overcrowding, staff shortages, high turnover, difficulty providing specialized services like residential treatment for substance abuse, and the need to align the US justice system with cultural Samoan values.”

The proposal outlines that the current site and structures of the prison date back to the 1940s, when it was established as a segregation camp for patients with leprosy. It was later converted into a prison in the 1970s, where it remains today. 

“Three of these buildings that once housed leprosy patients, including Charlie, Delta, and Echo, still stand and are still in use. These structures are over seventy years old. Additionally, the Bravo building was built in the late 1900s, but its structure is poor and deteriorating due to inadequate maintenance.

“Over the years, these buildings have suffered from poor maintenance. Today, they are unreliable in managing the influx of inmates.

“The Bravo building is the most problematic, with plumbing lines installed in the middle that share a single line for both plumbing and water dispensing. If there is a clog, all the cells will flood. This, along with poor ventilation, foul odors, infestations, and leaks, has made the building inhumane and uninhabitable.

“The influx of inmates has led to overcrowding in the prison in recent years. The current facilities cannot accommodate the growing population. Most cell units are designed to hold only up to three inmates. However, with the increase in numbers, six to seven inmates are often confined in some cells.

“Furthermore, due to poor structural conditions, inmate classification cannot be carried out. Inmate classification is an essential process where staff assess an inmate's risks and needs to decide their placement, interventions, and security level. This is vital for determining their housing based on their crime and sentencing. 

“Unfortunately, the facility cannot perform this process because of a lack of holding units and overcrowding. “In fact, a durable, stable, and additional prison structure is essential for the facility. A new facility will directly address urgent health needs.” 

The Director noted the outdated and damaged structures can be replaced with a newer, more durable building that can handle the large influx of inmates. 

“A new structure will also improve security, prevent potential escapes, and enable proper classification of prisoners. This is the core issue that must be addressed. “When improving the facility and working conditions, training remains a crucial element. Since this department was established, the need for trained and qualified correctional officers has been a challenge. 

“The department has hired many untrained employees through the regular human resources process. Some employees had no background in law enforcement. Because of the urgent need and immediate separation from the Department of Public Safety, manpower was prioritized. Most of the workforce still lacks proper training. 

“The second most important need for this department is an academy. An academy will greatly benefit the workforce by training recruits with the essential skills, knowledge, and experience required to effectively supervise and manage people in correctional facilities. It will offer training in various areas, including law and order, the criminal justice system, law enforcement, the psychology of law, trauma-informed care, handling trauma, working under stress, safety protocols, and other related subjects. 

“Training is a vital need and should be integrated into our daily routine to encourage continuous improvements in performance, work ethics, security measures, and the maintenance of order and discipline in the prison.” 

SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS

“In 2023, ASEDA funded cameras purchased through ASTCA that were installed around the facilities. These cameras helped staff ensure surveillance in areas with limited coverage. “Over time, some cameras have been damaged, and the remaining ones require retooling and maintenance. 

“The remodeling of the visitation area is in progress, and an office space will be designated for the surveillance system. The department respectfully requests help in acquiring additional security cameras to replace those that are damaged and to cover all vulnerable areas of the compound. Besides cameras, other security materials such as durable, tamper-resistant lighting and high-security lighting with specific features are needed to withstand the challenging environments of correctional facilities and prison institutions.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The AS Department of Corrections operates nine housing facilities for a fluctuating population of approximately 250 inmates, receiving four to five new inmates daily. The department provides housing, three meals a day, rehabilitation services, and ensures proper coordination of appointments and court orders for women, men, and juvenile detainees.

The project aims to upgrade infrastructure in five outdated housing units and one temporary unit (Juvenile Detention Center) that urgently need attention. These facilities, patched with limited funding, are deteriorating due to weather conditions, inmate turnover, and poor maintenance, leading to unlivable conditions.

Overcrowding, manpower shortages, and inadequate safety equipment compromise the ability to secure inmates, increasing risks of escapes and unrest. For instance, the Bravo building, designed for 32 inmates, currently houses 64 due to minor renovations and aging infrastructure, creating unsafe living conditions. 

CHALLENGES INCLUDE:

- Overcrowded buildings leading to poor air circulation and unhealthy living environments.

- Increased risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses due to extreme heat.

- Poor hygiene standards in shared cell blocks, contributing to unsanitary conditions.

Urgent improvements are necessary to ensure the health and safety of inmates and staff, especially in light of the high risk of disease transmission in cramped quarters.

Older housing units also require demolition and replacement to meet federal living standards. Although a new housing building was acquired in 2016 for high-risk inmates, consistent quality housing for the total inmate population remains a priority. The proposed demolition of outdated units will facilitate new facilities that include maximum isolation rooms and ADA-compliant spaces.

The Department of Corrections was established in 2022, and before that, the Correctional Facility was part of the Department of Public Safety, sharing responsibilities for providing maximum security for inmates.