Appropriates funds to replace the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The Oahu community correctional center plays a key role in three critical local and state detention and correctional functions. It serves as a county jail, community corrections center, and reintegration facility for prison inmates who will be released back to their home county.

Its design, site layout, and patchwork of additions make it expensive to staff and operate, and compromise security because the layout inhibits visual surveillance from the towers and the ground. It is not as safe and secure as a contemporary multi-security facility design would be. Over the next ten years, the Oahu community correctional center is projected to need twice the facility's current capacity. The facility is landlocked, making it unsuitable for necessary additions and future growth needs.

Honolulu will continue to need the largest correctional capacity in Hawaii. The sheer size of the Oahu community correctional facility warrants more support, treatment and program space than any other single facility. A new site that could accommodate all three correctional functions together would be preferable. Alternatively, a site close to the court building would be ideal for pre-trial detention. Low custody community-based housing units could be located elsewhere on less expensive land.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to replace the Oahu community correctional center.

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 2006-2007, to plan, design, and construct a new correctional facility to replace the Oahu community correctional center.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.