How was an inmate able to access multiple knives for prison stabbing?

The recent stabbing death at the Department of Corrections caused many to question how an inmate had access to as many as three knives. Prison director Bob Camacho says part of the reason is that it took place in the Minimum Security Unit, where items that can be used as weapons are routinely available.

The stabbing death of 69-year-old convicted murderer Cesar Dizon took place in Post 24, which  houses "minimum-in" inmates. They're allowed  to do work inside the prison, such as carpentry and plumbing. And there are also "minimum-out" inmates who are eligible for outside community work. Director Camacho says they have a lot more freedom of movement and access than the rest of the prison population.

"In this facility, we have all sorts of items in that area," he told KUAM News. "We have tools, screwdrivers, boxcutters. Those things are controlled, even in the kitchen, they have an opportunity to cook meals if they would like."

Two knives allegedly used in the killing were confiscated from the kitchen area, and a butter knife with serrated edges was found in suspect M.B. Koto's locker.

Camacho says corrections officers are supposed to monitor any potentially dangerous items on a daily basis. But he acknowledged that they also place alot of trust in prisoners who've reached minimum security status, saying, "In the states they call them trustees and with minimum security level and community service."

"Unfortunately in this particular case a tragic incident occurred and I just want to impress upon every one that when something like this happens, whether it be an escape an assault or a death in this case it affects everybody. we feel deeply saddened."

Also when such an incident happens they look at several factors: did the officer in charge respond according to policy? Was the facility itself part of the problem? Were manpower or training a factor?

Said Camacho, "What we're doing right now, we're making some changes in the command structure, and we're putting some more higher level officers in charge. We're moving Major Antone Aguon to the Operations Command, so we're looking at every single avenue."

"Unfortunately sometimes the inmates get away with certain things. It's a very difficult thing. we have over 700 inmates right now."

And that's not all, the director says, because right now there are even more detainees than there are inmates.