Gov to hire 40 new Correction Officers
Updated: Sep 7
Acting Governor Talauega E.V Ale has taken action to put together a plan to ensure that prisoners remain inside the Tafuna Correctional Facility instead of galavanting around the island, breaking into people's homes and businesses.
A statement from the Governor's Office noted that one of the primary solutions that will be implemented is recruiting and hiring up to 40 new guards.
Adequate staffing is crucial to maintaining a safe and secure environment within the correctional facility.
The Government is also looking at the issue of overcrowdedness within the facility and the completion of the new building for Maximum Holding. ASG wants to assure the citizens of American Samoa that these corrective actions are being implemented with urgency and dedication.
The safety of our communities remains our top priority, and we are resolute in our commitment to ensuring that our correctional facility operates as a secure and rehabilitative institution, says the press release.
"On behalf of Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga, I appreciate the collaboration and dedication of our Corrections Agency staff, law enforcement agencies, and all those involved in this effort. We will continue to work tirelessly to restore public confidence in our correctional system," says Acting Governor Talauega.
As first reported by KVKZ last week, notorious escapee Joeita Faaaliga, who has escaped from the TCF numerous times, has been transferred to maximum security. Other inmates who escaped from the TCF were Wayne Gasolo and Martin Sega, Nicholas Luamanu, and Senara Patu, among others.