American Samoa prison warden, Amituana'i Mika Kelemete, says the territory's correctional facility is inadequately staffed.
He has told a senate committee investigating corruption, there are only 12 prison guards working two 12 hour shifts every week, controlling 99 inmates which can swell by up to 30 on the weekends.
The senate committee has raised concerns at the number of incidents occurring at the prison, such as the fatal stabbing of an inmate by a fellow prisoner in January, and alleged beatings of prisoners by officers.
