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Guam legislators press Department of Corrections on staffing, overcrowding and rising medical costs in FY2027 budget hearing
Summary
At a May 4, 2026 Finance Committee hearing, DOC requested roughly $39 million for FY2027 while lawmakers pressed officials about chronic staffing shortages, heavy overtime, overcrowding (about 905 inmates/detainees), rising medical costs tied to GMH services, and delays in design and capital work for a new prison.
Acting Director Joe Carlito told the Committee on Finance and Government Operations on May 4 that the Department of Corrections has submitted a FY2027 operating request of about $39 million, with personnel costs making up the largest share and a portion of operational funds earmarked for dialysis and dental care for people in custody.
Committee members focused their questions on chronic staffing shortfalls, overtime and facility capacity. Warden Alenbora told the panel, "We have 905 inmates and detainees," reporting roughly 700 at the main facility and about 195 at Hagåtña. Major Anton Ogan described the medical burden in the population: "The problem we have with our prison is our prison population is sick," and said several inmates require hospital care that demands officer escorts.
DOC officials said frontline staffing currently includes about 190 uniformed…
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