Lawmakers hear testimony on DOC bills

Lawmakers on Thursday heard testimony on a trio of bills related to the Department of Corrections. These were Bill 278-37, which would subject corrections officers to the same transparency rules as officers at the Guam Police Department, Bill 358-37, which would require periodic compensation and retention studies for DOC officers, and Bill 368-37, which seeks to address repairs and equipment needs at the Adult Correctional Facility in Mangilao and the Hagåtña Detention Facility. DOC Operations Commander Maj.

Maryhelen Lizama supported the latter two measures Thursday afternoon. For Bill 358 specifically, Lizama said she hoped lawmakers also would consider bonus pay to help with retention. "The bonus, especially at this time, that is needed because of the working conditions that are just there.



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The workload has increased. We're already taking care of 950-some prisoners. Like you said, one officer watching 80 prisoners.

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On top of that, we do have additional responsibilities, such as the (Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center) clients. ..

. It's very hard to control them, the ones under Guam Behavioral, at the Post 7 annex and the women's facility," Lizama said. But when asked later by Sen.

Dwayne San Nicolas what she would prefer between bonuses and a new facility, Lizama chose the facility. "Only because if you have a happy working environment, everyone is going to be happy. But if everything is broken and the environment is very hot because the (air conditioning) units don't work, you have angry prisoners because it's hot inside.

That's the kind of stress you're dealing with. ..

. It doesn't matter what building or government agency. You walk in and things don't work or it's dirty, of course they're going to be sad and depressed, .

.. So, if we get the money, I'd rather choose a new facility with everything working so that the workers are happy and people would want to stay," Lizama said.

San Nicolas said he asked because he wanted "to be real" about the situation. Lizama added that it would be better to have both the bonus and new facility because of the high cost of living on Guam. Bill 368, introduced by San Nicolas, would change the fiscal year 2025 budget act so that a $5 million appropriation meant to help fund a new correctional facility can also be used to renovate, maintain and repair the existing Mangilao prison facility and the Hagåtña detention center, as well as assist with procuring security materials, property, vehicles and equipment for those facilities.

As stated earlier, Lizama supported Bill 368, as well, testifying that repairs and equipment were needed for DOC to address current issues. DOC Director Fred Bordallo Jr. said the bill would allow DOC to invest in necessary work projects to improve and strengthen facility infrastructure and security resources.

But with the department short on security personnel, Bordallo also recommended including a provision that removes the current requirement for corrections officers to be on military duty or absent due to a long-term disability status in order for DOC to temporarily hire retired officers due to critical need. Bill 369-37, from Sen. Chris Barnett, would have removed that hiring prerequisite while also providing the same authorization to use the $5 million appropriation for immediate needs at correctional facilities.

However, Bill 369 was withdrawn. Barnett also introduced Bills 358 and 278. For Bill 358, Bordallo said the Department of Administration already has the authority to review compensation structures within the government of Guam, but the Legislature can provide funding as those plans are approved.

The director added that he's been asked by University of Guam faculty if a retention study could be done for DOC. "And we readily accept that, too, when an instructor at the University of Guam wants to do retention study, similar to what they did at the Guam Police Department. I have not personally talked with (DOA Director Edward Birn) to see the impact of this legislation (Bill 358), but I have talked to the deputy director, who said they're involved in a retention study of Guam Customs and Quarantine.

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What I'm saying, too, is should this bill be enacted into law, we will be ready to look at what the findings of that study shows. Because we certainly want to look at the results of these research and where we need to ensure that we can retain our employees," Bordallo said. For Bill 278, Bordallo noted issues regarding credible information on complaints against DOC employees, such as a lack of definition for "credible information" and putting the onus on corrections officers to determine whether complaints are credible when that is a task for internal affairs.

Bordallo also said the commission cited in the bill, which is one entity to which alleged violations are to be forwarded, refers to a commission that has been dormant or is not applicable to the oversight of DOC. Barnett said Bordallo's concerns would be reviewed in committee..