by Jolene Toves

Guam - The Department of Corrections is back in the news again, this time as two corrections officers have been placed on administrative leave for allegedly violating the civil rights of several inmates.

An aggravated assault complaint was filed with the Guam Police Department on Sunday after the parent of an inmate reported that his son had been tasered by a pair of corrections officers.

DepCor spokesperson Jeff Limo told KUAM News, "The director received a report from GPD in regards to correction officers utilizing a taser pod against inmates up at the Adult Correctional Facility. They were asked to enter the control room area where they were locked in and tasered and in several occasions."

Limo would not disclose details of the names of the officers but confirms that upon learning of the alleged incident, apparently there wasn't just one victim. "This morning when I conducted my preliminary investigations into the matter it was discovered that three other inmates were also tasered in the same unit by the same two officers," he said.

The alleged incidents occurred in the Protective Unit and the taser pod used was attached to a flashlight which concealed the fact it was a taser. Limo says should the incidents never have happened especially since tasers are not a part of the equipment issued to DepCor personnel.

"It's not part of the issued equipment at department of correction never was and probably never will be. like most state prison they are not allowed to bring in tasers guns," said Limo. "In the Correction Facility we try not to allow them into the facility because it could be used against correctional staff."

The two officers have since been placed on administrative leave but unfortunately Limo reports that another taser was discovered and confiscated during a bag search of DepCor personnel this morning. That officer has been returned to duty but administrative action may be taken pending investigation.

While DepCor is conducting their investigation into the matters limo says the FBI has also been contacted as the alleged incidents are a civil rights violation.