The Department of Corrections is making progress with its COVID-19 mitigation plan, part of which focuses on preparing the island’s prison to handle a surge in infected prisoners. PNC got a sneak peek at the department’s new isolation units.
DOC’s COVID mitigation plan entails the set up of two facilities at the prison’s Mangilao compound, renovating an unused dome for quarantine, and setting up a “Warrior” tent for isolation. PNC was able to take a tour of the Warrior tent provided to DOC by the Department of Public Health and Social Services.
It’s just a shell right now, but the Warrior tent when completed will be able to house up to 20 individuals. The Warrior tent is built for use in cold climates and inside the tent is an inner shell much like a thermal blanket.
Guam’s hot weather means that an air-conditioning unit and cots for prisoners will need to be installed before the Warrior tent is made operational. The Warrior tent is located in the buffer zone of the prison and at one point the area housed the director’s office.
DOC is also working on renovating one of the Dome units to be used for quarantining.
Once completed this will alleviate any occupancy issues at POST 7, DOC’s current dedicated quarantine area. Last month, POST 7 was at half capacity forcing the department to isolate a bulk of their COVID-positive inmates within their existing cohorts.
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