A week-long exchange between the Nevada National Guard and the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Services has concluded, focusing on leadership development, inmate management, and mental health strategies in the correctional environment.
Public Affairs Officer Laila Gillam, addressing participants during the closing ceremony, highlighted the value of the partnership, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the collaboration. “This exchange is not just about exchanging ideas; it is about mutual growth and progress,” she said, recognizing the commitment shown by the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Services.
The program, part of the U.S. State Partnership Program, involved subject matter experts from the Nevada National Guard, including Chaplain LTC Tod Brown, MAJ Luis Muruato, SFC Theresa Faoa, and SSG Romeo Tiumalu. Their expertise, Gillam noted, was key to the success of the exchange. “Your expertise and willingness to share your knowledge has been invaluable in facilitating this subject matter exchange,” she said, thanking the team for their contributions.
Participants from Samoa were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained from the program to their roles, with Gillam urging them to see themselves as agents of change. “You are not just correctional officers or leaders in your field; you are agents of change,” she stated, underlining the importance of compassion and empathy in their work, particularly regarding mental health in inmate rehabilitation.
Deputy Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, alongside other members of the Police, Prisons, and Corrections Services, attended the event. Their engagement was highlighted as a key factor in the program’s success, with Gillam extending gratitude to the Government of Samoa for their role in the partnership.
The exchange is part of ongoing efforts to enhance correctional practices through the State Partnership Program, which aims to foster long-term cooperation between the U.S. and Samoa. As Gillam remarked, “This program is just the beginning… Together, U.S. and Samoa can continue to build upon this framework.”
The event concluded with wishes for safe travels and continued success in the participants’ roles, marking the end of a week that reinforced the importance of collaboration in improving correctional services.
