By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FOLLOWING a press conference on Friday, Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres issued a formal statement on Saturday defending the agency’s restructuring of its Medical Unit and urging lawmakers to approve pending salary authorization needed to complete the transition.
Torres said the department is taking “proactive, strategic steps” to address rising medical needs and long-standing staffing shortages at the correctional facility, responding to concerns raised in a recent article about medical coverage.
“We are committed to building a stronger, more efficient Medical Unit that prioritizes the health and safety of inmates, staff, and the community,” Torres said.
He thanked Gov. David M. Apatang for his support, noting the governor’s recent letter to Senate President Karl King-Nabors and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez outlining the urgent need for additional medical personnel to maintain safety and constitutional compliance. Torres said he fully supports the governor’s call for immediate legislative action to approve the hiring of a physician assistant.
Torres also expressed appreciation to Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation CEO Esther Muna and her team for providing clinical guidance and care coordination during the transition. “CHCC’s partnership exemplifies collaborative government service for our people,” he said.
According to Torres, the department earlier this year opted not to renew the contract of its former medical director. Instead of replacing the high-salary position, Corrections is reallocating funds to hire one physician assistant and two medical assistants.
“This strategic plan strengthens our Medical Unit by adding more providers for daily assessments, treatments, prescriptions, and follow-up care,” Torres said. “It also saves taxpayer dollars through a sustainable, team-based model that costs less than relying on a single high-cost provider.”
The department has already hired physician assistant Keith Longuski, who is licensed to conduct exams, diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe medications, and manage acute and chronic illnesses under physician supervision. Torres said Longuski’s role will expand access to care, reduce delays, ease burdens on correctional officers, and help avoid costly off-island transports and legal exposure.
The governor has requested an above-cap salary certification of $104,000 for Longuski, citing the difficulty of recruiting qualified medical professionals to work in a correctional setting. Torres said the two medical assistant positions will be filled promptly once approved.
“Let me be crystal clear: This is not about cutting medical care, it is about improving it,” Torres said. “These reforms demonstrate fiscal responsibility while ensuring better, more consistent care.”
Torres urged lawmakers to act quickly, noting that Longuski has been working for 10 weeks without pay while awaiting legislative approval.
Corrections, he said, remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in serving the Commonwealth.
In prior years, before Torres became commissioner, the prison facility faced multiple lawsuits alleging inadequate medical care and assistance.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
