The Administration is authorized to carry out all kinds of studies and investigations on matters affecting the correctional system, and, to that end, the Administrator shall require whatever information is necessary, pertinent and essential to achieve such purposes and to approve such rules and regulations as are necessary and reasonable. The Administrator shall issue summons requiring the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of data and information to carry out the purposes of this chapter. He shall, further, by himself or through an agent duly authorized, administer oaths and receive testimonies, data or information.
If a summons issued by the Administrator is not duly answered, the Administrator may appear before the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico and request that compliance with the summons be ordered. The Court of First Instance shall give priority to the processing of said petition and may enter orders compelling the appearance of witnesses or the presentation of data or information previously required by the Administrator. The Court of First Instance shall have power to punish for contempt disobedience of those orders.
No person shall refuse to comply with a summons of the Administrator or of his representative, or to produce the evidence requested or refuse to answer any question in connection with any study or investigation, or because the evidence required could incriminate him or expose him to a criminal trial to be removed or suspended from his employment, profession or occupation; but the testimony or evidence produced by said person at the request of the Administrator or his representative or by virtue of a judicial order, shall not be used or presented in evidence against him in a criminal prosecution or a civil or administrative suit which could result in the removal or suspension from his profession, employment or occupation.
History —July 22, 1974, No. 116, Part 1, p. 501, § 51, retroactive to July 1, 1974.