by Nick Delgado

Guam - The Department of Youth Affairs launches yet another internal investigation after a pair of clients managed to escape from their Mangilao facilities last night. Just before 10pm Monday a pair of DYA clients managed to escape from the 'F' Unit.

For three hours Guam Police, SWAT and DYA's tracking team searched Mangilao and found the 15- and 16-year-old escapees near the village Subway. "They are now in our custody awaiting of course a hearing with the judge to give his disposition about the punishment or this case the findings of the case," expla9ed director Adonis Mendiola. He says the two clients were initially confined on criminal sexual conduct and aggravated assault charges but were reconfined after violating conditions probation. According to Mendiola an internal investigation has been launched.

"There are administrative matters regarding the officers that were on duty there conduct at the time and carrying out their duties," he said. "Subject to our investigation, which is very early at this point, we're trying to isolate what tools they may have used to find their way out of their cells."

While DYA is still investigating how the pair was able to escape from the compound, Mendiola says they are now wrapping-up a recent investigation where three female clients escaped last month, running out the front gate of the facility.

"It is just about to wrap-up," he said, adding that the officer watching the three will be served administrative action that along with another incident that occurred in May when a riot broke out. Nine clients jumped one detainee. The assailants used makeshift weapons in their attack including a four-foot broken broom stick, a four- foot metal paint brush extension and a three and half foot silver aluminum louver.

Said Mendiola of the matter, "That's still pending."

DYA was - and evidently continues to - face a serious shortage in manpower. "That's soon to be changed - we're conducting interviews right now the administration has sought to help support us and we have job openings for any would be job seekers out there as youth service workers. We're conducting interviews at this point and we're still taking applications so we're hoping obviously to help those issues," he said.

At the time of last night's escape, three guards were monitoring the F Unit's 38 clients.