The CNMI Department of Corrections is preparing to open its new juvenile detention unit on Saipan. For the past ten years, juveniles have been placed in pods within the adult correctional facility after the Kagman building was condemned due to a sinkhole. The DOC’s Outreach team made up of inmates is currently renovating the building, which used to be the old jail and used to be occupied by Department of Public Safety detectives.

Anthony Torres, CNMI Dept. of Corrections Commissioner, said, "When they place them in the adult facility, we place them in one of the pods. And given the sight and sound requirements and in compliance with that, whenever a juvenile has to move from one location to another, everything stops. All movements are ceased in the adult facility given that situation. So given that it impedes that, once we get this up and running we have a Manhoben Care Center. We are going to be working with the Dept. of Youth Services as well for all the programming. And hopefully, in about a month you will see its finished state."

The unit is right next to the main DOC facility, near CNMI DPS. Torres says they’ve seen 0 to 2 juveniles detained in the past few months.