GOVERNOR Juan N. Babauta says his administration will support and maintain the operation of the $17 million adult prison facility project with the end goal of further improving the CNMI’s criminal justice system.
In leading the groundbreaking ceremony for the adult prison facility project in Susupe on Friday, the governor said “the waiting is over for the commonwealth,” which is finally complying with a consent decree it signed with the federal government. The decree required the CNMI to build a facility that meets American Correctional Association standards.
Protests, counter-protests and lawsuits delayed the project’s construction for about a year, until the government’s final certification of Telesource CNMI, Inc. as the winning bidder.
“We look forward to supporting and maintaining the operation and keeping of this facility, working for all of us. This is all part of being a community of people and being part of the overall system of the United States of America,” Babauta said.
House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, R-Saipan and the chairman of the governor’s prison task force, said the government had no choice but to meet federal standards.
“It’s part of the growing pains of neglecting our responsibilities for two decades. This is the price we pay,” said Hofschneider.
The prison task force chairman said the construction of the 344-bed prison facility is expected to be completed by Telesource within two years.
Victor Balian, Telesource general manager, said the company will do its best to meet the project completion deadline.
Acting Public Works Secretary John S. Reyes said the new facility will have 60,000 gallons of purified drinking water available for 24 hours a day.
“It’s a place where health and safety are top priority,” Reyes said.
He added, “I’m confident that Telesource will complete the project on time, and my office would be available to assist and support Telesource for the expeditious and timely completion of this project.”
The groundbreaking ceremony came a few days after Telesource secured $34.4 million worth of performance and payment bonds from Kemper/Lumberman’s Casualties Insurance Co.
