Guam - Three convicted murderers who were placed on work detail to make repairs at Adelup over the weekend were not authorized to do so.  Department of Corrections director Jose San Agustin admits that it was illegal for the convicts to do work outside the prison facility. 

While he initially thought he was allowed to assign individuals to details, regardless of their criminal background, San Agustin says further research proved him wrong. "It's illegal. I do take full responsibility though because prior to me taking these individuals out," he told KUAM News. "I did do research on our executive order, which is 94-19, and on there it does authorize me as the director to assign these individuals on work detail as I see necessary."

San Agustin says this past weekend was the first time he had employed the individuals to work outside the compound under the direct supervision of two corrections' officers. The inmates, Vincent Palomo, Ed Dela Pena and Joaquin Camacho, are all serving life sentences without parole.  The director says he hopes the law will be changed to allow inmates to go out and fix the community instead of staying behind bars.