The man who is reported to have taken his own life inside the Territorial Correctional Facility two weeks ago was on a suicide watch when he was taken in on September 5.
According to testimony by warden Papalii Marion Fitisemanu, before the House Public Safety Committee last week, it was evident that the man was in an emotional state because of what had happened to his wife.
The warden said TCF followed protocols by keeping the man under a suicide watch. He was in a cell by himself and was on suicide watch the whole night he was brought in, and the next day and night. But on the morning of September 7, he was found dead in his cell after apparently taking his own life.
The warden said it was just a short time that the deceased was left alone.
At the time of the hearing, the Criminal Investigations Division of DPS was still investigating the incident.
Warden Papalii and the Director of the Corrections Department, Tauanuu Faisiota, were called to answer questions about the incident and the escapes from the TCF.
Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu, a former prison guard, said the man should never have been left alone and the incident may expose the government to a lawsuit.
He said not too long ago the government paid a large sum of money to settle lawsuits against ASG due to the carelessness of employees.
Answering questions about the escape of juveniles from the Juvenile Correctional Facility last Friday, Director Tauanuu said the juveniles jumped the male security guard who was new on the job and overpowered him then broke a window and got out. The male guard was injured and required hospitalization. He and a female guard, who had been on the force for three years, were on duty.
The Department of Corrections is receiving ARPA funding to extend the high wall for the whole TCF compound. Tauanuu said they’ve submitted justification for the funding and finalized a contract, but are awaiting their finance person to return from off island island to proceed with the paperwork.
As for staffing, Tauanuu said they are planning a month long academy beginning October 22 with plans to hire about 50 new guards. He said corrections officers who were trained for just two weeks in the last academy will also go through the new academy.
