Medical care, electronic locks hold up DepCor's compliance

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - There are two specific areas that are preventing the Department of Corrections from being in compliance with a decades old consent decree with the Department of Justice. DepCor director Jose San Agustin says the department's medical care and electronic locking are preventing the department from closing the books on the stipulated agreement.

As we reported clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Leitheiser recently decided not to renew her contract with the department, leaving the agency with one doctor and two nurses for the 800 plus inmates and detainees. "We are meeting challenges and I continue to work with the Department of Administration, the front office, the governor and lieutenant governor to assist me in bringing on more medical staff so we can put the stipulated agreement into compliance," noted San Agustin.

San Agustin is hopeful that the department will be able to fill the clinical psychologist's position as well as hire two more full time nurses and a records clerk.