The search is on for land to build a new Territorial Correctional Facility.
The Department of Corrections is soliciting Expressions of Interest from private and communal land owners for use of their land to build a new prison. The minimum land required is 6 acres preferably with access for infrastructure development and operations.
Interested parties must submit their Expressions of Interest by November 17 to the Director of the Department of Corrections, Palaita T. Suiaunoa. Landowners are to provide proof of ownership or documented communal authority, and an area map or survey plan showing the land being proposed for use to build the new TCF.
The notice states that this is an Expression of Interest only and does not constitute a commitment, contract or guarantee of compensation.
Construction of a new Territorial Correctional facility is one of the projects being proposed to be funded with proceeds from a new bond series that is being sold by the American Samoa Economic Development Authority.
Last month, the Department of Corrections requested $7.11 million from ASEDA to construct a new jail facility. The proposal stated that the territory was in need of a new prison as the present TCF is over 50 years old, dilapidated and overcrowded.
During the Lemanu and Laapui administration, a site was selected for a new prison on Mageo family land in Pago Pago. However the plan was opposed by some members of the family and the Pago Pago Village Council, so it was scrapped.
