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Senate introduces bill to allow CNMI to host nonviolent inmates from Guam under interjurisdictional compact
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Summary
Senator Manny Castro formally introduced Senate Bill No. 24-24 on March 7, a measure to authorize the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to join an interjurisdictional corrections compact with Guam to "improve and expand inmate rehabilitation and training and for other purposes," he said during the Senate session at the Soussma Finesse Memorial Building.
Senator Manny Castro formally introduced Senate Bill No. 24-24 on March 7, a measure to authorize the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to join an interjurisdictional corrections compact with Guam to "improve and expand inmate rehabilitation and training and for other purposes," he said during the Senate session at the Soussma Finesse Memorial Building.
The bill would let the CNMI accept inmates from Guam and other jurisdictions under a compact designed to allow jurisdictions to transfer inmates for capacity or programmatic reasons. Commissioner Anthony C. Torres of the Department of Corrections told senators he supports the bill and said the CNMI has unused bed capacity that could be offered on a voluntary basis. "I stand before you today to voice my strong support for senate bill number 24 dash 24," Torres said during public comment.
Supporters told the Senate the transfers would be voluntary and limited to carefully screened, nonviolent inmates who agree to participate in rehabilitation and training programs. Torres said the Department of Corrections would have authority to refuse inmates that do not meet predetermined criteria and emphasized the proposal includes safeguards for public safety and inmate choice. Captain Semaan, a correctional officer, said the measure would ease regional overcrowding and help address staffing stress, training needs and morale at CNMI facilities.
Speakers also argued the compact could generate revenue that would fund staff pay adjustments, hazardous pay, training and rehabilitation programs. A member of the public who identified himself as Clyde Bridal described the local facility as having 500 beds and said it was operating far below capacity: "there's only we're only housing 60 inmates," he said. Other commenters said the compact would allow the CNMI to host nearby inmates rather than sending them to distant mainland facilities, reducing travel and referral costs.
Not everyone present was a state official. Victoria De Leon Guerrero spoke as a civilian and said she initially opposed the idea until she obtained more information: she urged the Legislature to judge the compact on its rules and limitations rather than assumptions. Multiple speakers stressed that the CNMI would only accept inmates who are nonviolent and meet CNMI criteria.
No vote or formal committee referral on the bill was recorded during the March 7 Senate session. The item was introduced on the floor and remained at the introduction stage at adjournment.
The public comment period on March 7 included multiple individuals speaking in favor of Senate Bill No. 24-24, and senators did not take further legislative action on the bill that day. If the measure advances, it would likely require implementing agreements and intergovernmental coordination with Guam and other authorities to set eligibility, reimbursement and transport rules.
Items that remain open from the March 7 discussion include specific reimbursement rates, the full set of eligibility criteria, and any administrative rules that would govern transfers and oversight. The Senate did not record a second or mover/second vote on the introduction during the session.
