Appropriates funds to support community-based programs that assist former inmates with successful reintegration into the community thereby reducing recidivism rates.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, given the problems associated with the high rate of recidivism among the former inmate population, programs that effectively assist the transition of former inmates from prison into the community are crucial. Once released from prison, a former inmate faces such issues as housing restrictions, workplace restrictions, as well as the many other informal restrictions as a result of prejudice against former offenders.

The legislature further finds that a person's stay in a jail or prison costs society from $70 to $400 per day, depending upon the level of security measures involved. These costs can be dramatically reduced through the implementation of programs to assist these individuals' in their post-incarceration community integration.

Community-based programs such as Victory Ohana, which provides a supportive living environment for former inmates and has a capacity of 150 beds, and First L.A.P., which provides transitional housing and other services to individuals who have been incarcerated, have helped numerous individuals successfully transition back into the community. Programs such as these, however, need support for their continued operation and for their expansion, to reach more individuals than they are currently capable.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support non-profit organizations, such as Victory Ohana and First L.A.P, that implement community-based programs for former inmates to assist them in successful reintegration into the community, so as to reduce recidivism and increase productivity in the community.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to support community-based reintegration programs that assist former inmates in successfully transitioning back into the community.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.