Supreme Court Vui Clarence Nelson described the situation as such after a judiciary visit of the facilities two weeks ago.
The Samoa Observer reported juvenile prisoners had all been transferred from the purpose-built Olomanu Detention Center to allow older prisoners to stay there and look after a plantation there.
Vui claimed youth were sleeping on the floor without mats or blankets.
However the Minister of Police and Corrections, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, said while the prison was not a hotel, that is not correct.