STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1620
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2001
RE: S.C.R. No. 156
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2001
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 156, S.D. 1, entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A REVIEW OF THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF RELOCATING THE OAHU COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to review the economic viability of relocating the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and constructing a new, secured facility.
The Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety.
Your Committee agrees with the findings of the Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that:
(1) OCCC has clearly outgrown its current site in Kalihi, which was designed in the mid-1970s, as evidenced by frequent escapes and a much larger and more dangerous prison population;
(2) There have been problems associated with the expansions to the OCCC facility that have taken place over the years, leading to a plant layout that is conducive to escape;
(3) The medical unit is confined to a relatively small space without room to expand, and the medical staff has had to improvise to ensure all inmates are afforded the level of medical care needed;
(4) There is limited space for educational programming, which precludes a great number of inmates from taking GED and other classes; and
(5) The inefficiencies of the facility must be met by increased personnel. The ratio of corrections officers to inmates at OCCC is nearly double that of the federal detention center, for example.
Your Committee believes that developing a new facility on a site more suitable for a correctional center could significantly decrease the operating costs through more efficient design and technology. It would also enhance security within the facility and provide greater protection for the community.
Your Committee is particularly concerned about overcrowding and believes that a new prison should be designed to meet the anticipated future need of more beds. Your Committee would also request the LRB to include in its study a recommendation relating to designing the new facility to accommodate an array of rehabilitation programs, and possibly including a boot camp if feasible.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 156, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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____________________________ BRIAN KANNO, Chair |
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