CNMI Correctional Officers and Employees Week
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have proclaimed the week of May 7-13, 2023 as CNMI Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Joining them at the proclamation ceremony were Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres, Corrections personnel, other officials and members of the community. During the proclamation ceremony, Torres formally received his pin as commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang recognize the contributions that Corrections officers and employees have continuously made over the years, and highlighted their importance toward maintaining the peace and security of our islands. They call upon the citizens of the Commonwealth to pay special tribute to those who have served the CNMI through correctional professions by acknowledging their unwavering efforts in maintaining public safety, maintaining correctional environments effectively and efficiently, and for their utmost dedication toward performing their professional duties as correctional officers and employees.
DEPARTMENT of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres held a press conference on Wednesday morning regarding an inmate, Gerald Sablan, who used a smuggled cell phone to post photos on social media showing him smoking methamphetamine in his prison cell.
In an interview with KUAM news posted on YouTube Wednesday, Torres said the news article that Variety published about Sablan on Monday has “a lot of misinformation.”
But Torres did not say what the “misinformation” was. Variety was not invited to the press conference. Torres neither replied to, nor acknowledged this reporter’s messages.
In his press conference, Torres confirmed that Sablan is an inmate, and that Corrections had confiscated seven cell phones from April 18 to May 2.
“Those seven cell phones are now with our federal partners and the investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
He added that they “initiated emergency shakedowns. I even came in. I brought the dogs in. We did a full shakedown. We were able…to recover…the cell phones and some meth as well and some other contraband.”
Prior to the publication of the Sablan news story, Torres was asked by Variety to comment, but he declined.
On Wednesday, he said, “I’m going to ask the Marianas Variety to just stick to the facts. There was a lot of struggling with objectivity there. There was a lot of misinformation that I feel should not be spread out like that. Especially if the case is still ongoing. It’s still under investigation. We’re doing our best. I’m doing my best.”
Torres said his staff “is working hard, diligently moving forward with this investigation — we are doing our best. Having to stop and bring you folks [reporters] in and talk about this hampers the investigation. Because I have to stop and deal with this, I understand, but please stick to the facts. That article, there was a lot of misinformation, and it could also tarnish an employee’s name who has nothing to do with that case.”
Variety did not publish the name of a Corrections officer allegedly involved in smuggling contraband after Torres said that the “individual was on administrative leave, but nothing related to this case.”
According to Torres on Wednesday, he inherited the “mess” of the previous administration. “I am dealing with it, and I am here, and I’m committed, with the department,…to the people of the Marianas.”
As for Gerald Sablan’s photos posted on Facebook, Torres said, “As you know we can post anything on FB. You cannot always believe what people post on FB, because I could post on FB that I am in Honolulu, but I’m here.”
Asked how cell phones were smuggled into Corrections, Torres said, “That’s the next message I want to send out to anybody who is doing these bad choices, who is making these wrong choices, including my staff. There’s corruption, there’s people who make bad choices in every department, that’s a reality…. Being in this role, I have to pivot and be compassionate, empathetic, be supportive, and be uplifting and empowering to my staff, to the people who wanted to do their jobs 110%, who are committed to being here. At the same time, I have to be able to deal and hold those individuals who wanted to live a life of criminal activity accountable, and not just looking at terminating them…. I’m looking at them to possibly do some time. I mean we all need to be accountable for our choices. Unfortunately, the staff who may be bringing these items in, I’m not saying they are, I am not confirming they are, but if we find that they are, we’re going to hold them accountable, to the highest level possible. Again, I am working with my federal partners…and if you think you could get away with this, [that] you’re just going to be terminated, you’re wrong. That was my clear message to anyone, even with anybody who is colluding with staff members in here. It’s gonna unravel, and its gonna unravel next month and people are going to be held accountable, and that is my firm message.”
Asked about the investigation involving Corrections personnel, Torres said because it is still ongoing, “I can’t really speak on that. Again, we are looking at individuals. I am working with federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Public Safety, and we are going to go hard on this.”
Torres said his message to those who are colluding or are responsible for contraband entering the facility: “We are coming for you, and this needs to stop. I gave everybody a clear message when I came on board. If you know you are doing something wrong, you need to stop now.”
He told reporters that he will give them “an update once everything is complete, once I have everything in front of me and it’s go time, you will be the first to be called.”
