Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1781 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Public Safety for community-based reintegration programs that assist former inmates in successfully transitioning back into the community.

Your Committee finds that funding for community-based reintegration programs must be increased in order to hold recidivism rates in check. In other words, without increased funding for a better coordination of services the so-called revolving door between prison and the community will continue.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1781 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.