Makes appropriation to the department of public safety to provide "gate money" to just released inmates for food, clothing, and bus passes.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that approximately three hundred inmates of the seven hundred or more inmates released each year on parole do not have adequate funds for food, clothing, and bus passes. It has been the practice of the Hawaii Paroling Authority to provide up to $200 to inmates in need of emergency funds, commonly known as "gate money," for this purpose. In recent years, the amount of gate money has steadily declined due to other administrative demands.

According to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, the parole population has risen from 1,804 on July 1, 1997, to 2,622 as of July 1, 2003, a thirty-one per cent increase. With a steadily increasing parole population coupled with inherent challenges faced by the paroled prisoner attempting to successfully reintegrate back into the community, gate money becomes a critical component of transition from incarceration to freedom.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the provision of gate money to newly paroled inmates.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $60,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the "gate money" program.

SECTION 3. The sum 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, 2006.