Report Title:

Corrections Population Management Commission

Description:

Specifies the commission's recommendation-making responsibility.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2946

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the corrections population management commission.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 353F-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§353F-3[]] Recommendations. (a) The commission shall recommend to the appropriate authorities, cost-effective mechanisms, legislation, and policies [to prevent] that:

(1) Prevent the inmate population from exceeding the limits established pursuant to section 353F-2[. These];

(2) Reduce the overall inmate population in state and correctional centers or facilities, with a focus on lowering the population of nonviolent offenders;

(3) Reduce the overall cost of the corrections system;

(4) Reduce recidivism and improve inmates' transitions back into the community;

(5) Preserve public safety; and

(6) Respect the needs of victims and communities in the process of holding offenders accountable for their actions.

(b) All recommendations shall include estimates of fiscal impact. [In addition, the]

(c) The commission shall [consider and] make recommendations on the following [to the appropriate authorities]:

(1) Strategies for the management of projected growth in the inmate population;

(2) Bail and other pretrial release programs;

(3) Legislation relating to sentencing;

(4) Judicial sentencing policies;

(5) Intermediate punishments and other alternatives to incarceration;

(6) Probation programs[;] and supervision programs;

(7) Inmate classification systems;

(8) Reintegration and treatment programs for inmates;

(9) Paroling policies and supervision programs; and

(10) Future construction of correctional centers or facilities[.], including the expansion of existing facilities or construction of new facilities to prevent the inmate population from exceeding the capacity of each facility.

(d) When making a recommendation, the commission shall research and consider:

(1) The factors leading to overcrowding;

(2) The impact of current sentencing laws;

(3) The use of alternate sentences, diversion, programs to improve community reintegration, and other means to reduce recidivism;

(4) The factors leading to incarceration and recidivism, including the type of offense, the length of sentence, mental health, and substance abuse;

(5) Trends in the offender population;

(6) The factors linking juvenile and adult offender populations;

(7) Existing program and treatment levels for the incarcerated offender population; and

(8) Input from former inmates and organizations that advocate for the mentally ill."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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