1986 _ 3

GCO 1986-3

PRISONER GROUP WORK PROJECTS AUTHORIZED

Numerous persons convicted and sentenced by this Court spend their days in jail idle, with no benefit to themselves or others. Yet the wrongdoing of these persons has caused substantial expenses to their fellow citizens. Taxpayers provide these convicted persons with shelter and food and pay the salaries of police officers who guard them.

This is a new nation, with limited resources. There is here a long history of people working for the good of their community under the direction of a leader. There is much to be done here. Surely it is odd that under these circumstances, convicted persons should be permitted only to receive from, never give to, their communities.

Many penal authorities and commentators have recognized that prisoners may realize psychological and training benefits if they are given constructive work to perform as partial payment of their debt to society.

It therefore appears that it may be healthier for prisoners as well as communities of the Federated States of Micronesia if custodians of prisoners are authorized to assign selected prisoners to appropriate work projects.

NOW THEREFORE it is hereby adopted as a rule and policy of this Court that, except as otherwise expressly indicated by the sentencing judge in the sentence or other court order, supervisors and custodians of persons convicted and sentenced to jail by this Court are authorized and encouraged to provide useful physical labor group work projects for such prisoners during the time of their imprisonment, provided that: (a) no such project shall conflict with specific community service, work release or other alternative sentencing provisions made by this Court for the prisoner; and (b) any such project must be humane, reasonable and nondegrading; and (c) all prisoners must remain under police custodial supervision at all time, and security must be maintained, so that the safety of the general community is not jeopardized.

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	GCO 1986-3 PRISONER GROUP WORK PROJECTS AUTHORIZED Numerous persons convicted and sentenced by this Court spend their days in jail idle, with no benefit to themselves or others. Yet the wrongdoing of these persons has caused substantial expenses to their fellow citizens. Taxpayers provide these convicted persons with shelter and food and pay the salaries of police officers who guard them. This is a new nation, with limited resources. There is here a long history of people working for the good of their community under the direction of a leader. There is much to be done here. Surely it is odd that under these circumstances, convicted persons should be permitted only to receive from, never give to, their communities. Many penal authorities and commentators have recognized that prisoners may realize psychological and training benefits if they are given constructive work to perform as partial payment of their debt to society. It therefore appears that it may be healthier for prisoners as well as communities of the Federated States of Micronesia if custodians of prisoners are authorized to assign selected prisoners to appropriate work projects. NOW THEREFORE it is hereby adopted as a rule and policy of this Court that, except as otherwise expressly indicated by the sentencing judge in the sentence or other court order, supervisors and custodians of persons convicted and sentenced to jail by this Court are authorized and encouraged to provide useful physical labor group work projects for such prisoners during the time of their imprisonment, provided that: (a) no such project shall conflict with specific community service, work release or other alternative sentencing provisions made by this Court for the prisoner; and (b) any such project must be humane, reasonable and nondegrading; and (c) all prisoners must remain under police custodial supervision at all time, and security must be maintained, so that the safety of the general community is not jeopardized. * * * *