Lawmakers and corrections leadership are sounding the alarm, saying Guam’s prison system is stretched thin and in need of real, long-term solutions.

One word to describe DOC and lawmakers’ reaction to Guam’s prison system? Frustrated. On Monday, command staff from the agency faced senators for their Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing, requesting $39.3 million to keep operations afloat.

“Maintaining a safe and orderly correctional institution requires sufficient funding to support daily operations and to improve critical resources, including a strong and properly staffed workforce, adequate equipment, and facilities," said Joseph Carbullido, DOC's acting director.

Personnel costs amount to $27.6 million of the total ask. And $2.9 million is allocated to overtime costs – a number that points to deeper issues.

Right now, about 190 officers are responsible for nearly 1,000 inmates and detainees across Guam’s correctional facilities. DOC says they need more than 200. Until they can reach those numbers, however, many officers are working 12-hour shifts and getting called in on their days off.

It's a demanding cycle that raises concerns about safety for both staff and inmates and drives up costs.

Carbullido continued, “We’re just in that predicament with the staffing issues and that’s why overtime accumulates. We’re trying to mitigate that and we’re trying to look at different ways to – and of course, recruitment is one of them but its a slow process.”

Losses continue from resignations, retirements, and transfers, while lawmakers pointed to hiring delays. Vice Speaker Tony Ada questioned, “Where’s the roadblack at? Is it at DOA [Department of Administration], or is it at DOC?” The acting director responded, “I can honestly tell you that it’s not at DOC.”

Beyond staffing, operations funding includes a growing cost: inmate and detainee medical care. Major Antone Aguon stated that many enter the system with chronic illnesses, substance use issues, or mental health conditions – and the need is growing.

“Sometimes they’re with us less than 24 hours before they’re getting admitted to GMH," he explained. "We have to provide reasonable care, even on the mental health side.”

In recent years alone, DOC reports spending $7M on inmate medical costs.

lawmakers also flagged outdated technology, including limited internet inside the facility – particularly in housing units and security posts, meaning some cameras can’t even function. Major Aguon says a federal grant they’ve secured will help close this critical gap.

“Once internet gets [installed], [then] I can start connecting them and we can have staff monitoring it. We also have a grant for $100,000 to put cameras on the perimeter, but again, it won’t go [anywhere] unless I get the internet first," he said.

And with nearly 1,000 inmates, overcrowding remains a constant issue. DOC leaders say a new, modern facility is the long-term solution, but that project has stalled after more than a decade.

Aging infrastructure, down heating-ventilation-air conditioning systems and generators, and more continues to strain resources.

Legislative Committee on Public Safety chair Senator Shawn Gumataotao says the lack of forward movement on this very much-needed project to protect staff, inmates, visitors, and the rest of the island community, adding, “It leads to what we’re hearing today – overtime costs, employee burnout, movement of contraband, and other things. We’ve seen a lot of band-aid fixes. We need a more permanent fix to the situation affecting our prison.”

Now rising construction costs are further delaying the process. Lawmakers questioned if the administration is treating this as a priority.

For now, DOC is looking at short-term relief — including opening another housing dome.