Food shortage at American Samoa prison

Prisoners in American Samoa have been told to ask their families for food because of a shortage.

American Samoa has expanded its Territorial Correctional Facility Photo: RNZI Monica Miller

Inmates at the Territorial Correctional Facility in American Samoa have been told to ask their families for food because of a shortage at the prison.

Families contacted by KHJ News said the instruction was given to prisoners by the warden last Thursday.

The shortage of food was related to delays in the approval of purchase orders for food supplies, the families said.

The family of one of the female inmates brought in cases of chicken so the inmates could be fed last Thursday.

The Commissioner of Public Safety, Lei Sonny Thompson, said he wasn't aware of the food shortage but would look into it.