By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Koror, Palau (January 30, 2026)— Chronic overcrowding at the Koror jail, staffing shortages driven by low police pay, security lapses that allow drugs and weapons inside detention facilities, and a growing backlog of criminal cases dominated testimony Tuesday during a Senate oversight hearing of the Ministry of Justice.
The hearing, convened by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs, followed repeated media reports of inmate escapes, assaults and deaths at the Koror jail. Senators questioned justice officials on detention conditions, policing capacity, prosecutorial delays and the ministry’s plans to address persistent problems.
Committee Chairman Sen. Nakamura said the oversight was prompted by public concern over jail safety and accountability. The agenda focused on inmate incidents, drug-related convictions and the ministry’s operational challenges.
Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil, Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil, Bureau of Public Safety Director Curtis Elobt and senior BPS officials testified before the committee. Most senators were present.
Overcrowding, aging facility raise security risks
Elobt told lawmakers the Koror jail was designed to hold about 65 inmates but currently houses between 100 and 115, with as many as nine inmates sharing a single room. He said the aging structure — much of it made of wood — has made escapes a recurring challenge.
He outlined recent policy changes aimed at reducing contraband, including banning individual food deliveries and requiring hygiene items to be brought in clear zip-lock bags. Elobt said drugs have previously been smuggled into the facility hidden in food, including sushi, and inside toothpaste tubes.
“These policies are part of our ongoing effort to eliminate drugs in the jail,” he said.
Despite those measures, Elobt acknowledged that weapons continue to enter the facility. He said BPS has conducted 10 prison shakedowns since he became director, yet sharp and dangerous items still surface.
He cited an inmate storyboard program — which allows carving — as one reason sharp tools remain present. However, Sen. Melairei questioned how a machete and gasoline, neither of which are used for carving, were able to enter the jail undetected, especially given the facility has only one entry point. Both items were used in recent deadly incidents.
Elobt said many of the jail’s problems would be resolved once inmates are transferred to the new correctional facility in Ngchesar, estimating that about 90% of current issues would be eliminated.
Low police pay, staffing shortages strain operations
Olegeriil told senators that recruitment and retention remain major obstacles due to low starting pay for police officers. A Police Officer I begins at pay grade seven, step one, earning $6.58 per hour — about $526 biweekly or $13,676 annually before hazardous duty and night differential pay.
By comparison, Customs Officer I positions pay about $17,412 annually, while court marshals earn about $22,732, she said. The disparity stems from differences in starting pay grades within the public service wage system.
Olegeriil said the ministry is pursuing reclassification to make police positions more competitive and attract young Palauans.
Currently, BPS has 50 vacant positions, including 15 in corrections, 15 in fire and rescue, and 20 patrol officers.
Case backlog tied to staffing, investigation gaps
Attorney General Rengiil said her office is struggling to keep up with a growing backlog of cases, including drug-related prosecutions, due to limited staffing and heavy workloads.
She also pointed to deficiencies in police investigation reports, saying many are incomplete or contain errors, forcing prosecutors to return them for revision and delaying case filings.
Rengiil said if Congress appropriates the $300,000 previously authorized for her office, she would be able to hire additional attorneys to move cases forward more quickly.
Sen. Baules suggested assigning one attorney to work directly with police officers on investigation reports on a daily basis. Rengiil said she would implement the proposal once funding becomes available.
Budget pressures push ministry into deficit
Olegeriil told lawmakers the Ministry of Justice operates on a budget of more than $8 million this fiscal year, including $1.4 million earmarked for the Division of Marine Law. Of the remaining funds, about $5 million is allocated to salaries.
After covering fixed costs such as inmate meals and fuel for police vehicles, the ministry is left with about $700,000, she said. However, officer shortages require frequent overtime, which Olegeriil projected will push the ministry about $200,000 into deficit by year’s end.
Senate demands action plan, signals budget review
The hearing concluded with senators formally requesting the Ministry of Justice to submit a comprehensive written action plan addressing jail management, security improvements and staffing challenges. The plan must also outline renewed police recruitment efforts and a detailed timeline for transferring inmates from Koror to the Ngchesar correctional facility.
Senators committed to reviewing the ministry’s budget during the upcoming appropriations process and said they would consider increased funding to address the issues raised.