CNMI justices and judges, Office of Adult Probation and Northern Marianas Technical Institute officials pose for a group photo after the signing of an MOU that will provide technical training to local probationers.
THE Office of Adult Probation, which is under the CNMI judiciary, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Northern Marianas Technical Institute to provide local probationers an opportunity to acquire a career in electrical, electronics, construction, automotive technology and culinary arts, among other trades.
On Tuesday, CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja and NMTI Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao signed the MOU.
Justice John Manglona, Justice Perry Inos, Associate Judges Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Lillian Tenorio and Joseph N. Camacho joined probation officers and NMTI officials in witnessing the MOU signing ceremony at the Adult Probation Office.
In her remarks, Chief of Probation Matilde Bermudes-Rasa said, “Normally we don’t have the media in signing…MOUs or MOAs with our different partners…so you are probably wondering what is so special about this MOU….”
With this program, she added, “the judiciary and NMTI will work in joint efforts to provide our probationers an opportunity to take courses, learn trade skills in lieu of community work hours through NMTI’s available programs.”
She added, “Upon completing their courses, our probationers will receive certification, which they may use to gain employment and hopefully not to re-commit crimes. This is an opportunity for them to gain skills [so] they can better themselves and better their lives and gain employment. With this program they will have a better chance of landing a job. They can also use the training they gained…off-island, not necessarily for Saipan.”
Bermudes-Rasa also recognized her team for putting the program together.
For his part, Judge Naraja, said, “The signing of this MOU will allow low to medium risk and non-violent offenders to avail [themselves of] NMTI’s trade programs and obtain experience and training from our local professionals and instructors. This is great! We are really looking forward to this.”
Judge Naraja said “this is the beginning of the implementation of big plans. The Adult Probation Office has enhanced its resources…so that we may continue to work collaboratively with all government agencies, non-profit entities, and general public to reduce recidivism and crime rates in the CNMI.”
In a separate interview, NMTI Marketing And Outreach Coordinator Benjamin Babauta said they had been working with the Adult Probation Office for some time to launch a program for probationers.
“What we want…is to help participants reduce recidivism by taking classes at NMTI and receiving certification, which turns into career and jobs in the CNMI, for a healthy transition back into society,” Babauta said.
Construction classes can be completed in 4-6 months, he added. “Culinary is about a year. Automotive is about four years for four subjects. We also have a cosmetology course which runs about nine months, and baking and pastry which runs about five months,” Babauta said.
After completing a course, participants undergo internship with partnering businesses or government agencies, he added.
Depending on the course, the internship could take 60 hours to 240 hours, he said.
Among the businesses and government agencies that have partnered with NMTI are Atkins Kroll, Pacific Islands Club, Crowne Plaza, Five-Star Builders and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
“Some internships are paid internships. NMTI students are enrolled in a program for which the CNMI Department of Labor may pay for their internship,” Babauta added.
