by Nick Delgado

Guam - From an old facility to random escapes, these are the very issues the Department of Youth Affairs is working to correct. Residents who neighbor the Youth Correctional Facility are wondering when DYA is going to address a gaping 100-foot gap in its perimeter fence. It's this same gap two clients used to escape almost a year ago.

DYA director Adonis Mendiola told KUAM News, "In times past, obviously we had funding issues not just with supplemental budget last year that came through and money we thought we had to fix the fence. Otherwise, we do have capital improvement money will be reprogrammed from previous years for upgrades to our facility - none of which includes the renovation that we had at Echo Dorm. So we will have the fence fully repaired; in fact, other portions of our fence upgraded along that process."

Mendiola says although last year's escape was due to his officers lack of supervision. Clients are no longer allowed in that area of the compound, which is at the rear of the administrative buildings. As for when the gap will finally be fixed, he noted, "We're foreseeing it in the next two to three months, all things given, with the current procurement process."

While waiting for the procurement process, Mangilao mayor Nito Blas says residents have waited long enough for the issue to be addressed, saying, "The surrounding neighbors have been very concerned and asking if we can be more strict in making sure the youth there don't freely run away, because they might end up in their backyard, so there should be a control."

Mayor Blas says his office is working with DYA to ensure the facility doesn't become a problem for neighbors in the future.