Committee tables Guam–CNMI corrections compact, seeks DOC and Guam AG input

The JGO committee on April 10 voted to table Senate Bill 24-24, which would authorize the Commonwealth to join an interjurisdictional corrections compact with Guam to expand inmate rehabilitation and training.

Members raised questions about the Commonwealth's capacity to receive detainees or inmates, potential impacts on health-care services and contraband risks, and whether the compact would include pretrial detainees. A member asked whether a draft compact or memorandum of understanding exists and suggested staff invite the bill's author and agencies to provide detail.

"Minus that, Chairman, I think that we should table this and maybe also encourage that we invite the Department of Corrections and maybe get an update from the Attorney General from Guam," the Floor Leader said, requesting a more detailed briefing. The committee agreed and the motion to table carried.

Next steps

The Chair said he will invite Commissioner Anthony Torres of the Department of Corrections, the Attorney General's Office, and Senator Manny Castro (the bill author) to a future meeting and consider dissolving into a Committee of the Whole for in-depth discussion.