This is according to the memorandum of agreement signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Corrections Commissioner Dolores M. Aldan and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin O. Faisao.
Variety was told that this decision had something to do with DCCA’s failure to comply with federal requirements.
A source who requested anonymity said when the representatives from concerned federal agency visited the juvenile center over a year ago, they found out that federal standards were not being met by the juvenile facility.
There was a list of things that the federal government asked DCCA to accomplish, but the department failed to do so.
Another source told Variety that of the 28 youth detention center’s staff members, majority we re political hires who barely met the qualifications.
As a result, the juvenile detention center has been having “attendance problems” with its personnel, Variety was told.
Asked for comment, Division of Youth Services Director Calvani P. Deleon Guerrero told the Variety to e-mail questions so he could send them to his superiors and the Attorney General’s Office “as part of our protocol.”
Deleon Guerrero at the same time said he will look into these concerns.
DYS is under DCCA.
Public Law No. 2-19, which created the Division of Youth Services, stated that it is “responsible for the provision of services to all youth including those youth adjudged to be wards of a court of the commonwealth with jurisdiction in juvenile cases.”
The law further said the “purpose” of DYS’s establishment “is to plan, coordinate, develop, and implement programs and services designed to provide developmental and rehabilitative services to the youth.”
To ensure a “strengthened with unified management,” the MOA stated that effective on Dec. 21, 2009, the management of the juvenile detention center “shall now report” to the corrections commissioner.
The commissioner, the MOA stated, “shall work closely with the DCCA secretary so that the rehabilitation aspect of the detention center’s operation is maintained and strengthened.”
It further stated that the corrections commissioner “shall periodically report progress to the governor and DCCA secretary and to submit, six months after the MOA was executed, a detailed report on progress made, issues arising and how such issues have been addressed and recommendation as to any statutory change arising from the MOA.”
