SCR52 SD1

WHEREAS, there is a high rate of recidivism among the former inmate population, due, in large part, to the many problems former inmates are faced with during the reintegration period, including workplace restrictions, housing restrictions, and many informal restrictions resulting from societal prejudice against former offenders; and

WHEREAS, this high rate of recidivism of former prison inmates is very costly to the State and its residents, both economically and socially, in the form of increased criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, the recidivism rate can be dramatically reduced through the implementation of programs to assist these individuals' post-incarceration community integration; and

WHEREAS, education is the key to success for many former inmates, motivating them to reach their potential, teaching them to accept responsibility for their actions, helping them understand the connection between cause and effect, and how to make changes and better decisions; and

WHEREAS, these educational efforts must be initiated while individuals are incarcerated and must continue throughout the transition period after release to be truly successful in combating recidivism; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education has eleven Community Schools for Adults which offer a wide variety of services, including adult literacy, elementary and secondary education, parenting, and community education classes; and

WHEREAS, Kulani Correctional Facility has a positive reintegration program that is culturally sensitive and works in conjunction with the Hilo Community School for adults that could serve as a model for other correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS, formerly incarcerated individuals would be more successful in completing educational programs after release if they were assisted in the transition, including finding and enrolling in the appropriate continuing education program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Public Safety is requested to:

(1) Report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008 with:

(A) The existing programs offered under the Corrections Education Division at each facility, including the number of staff and students;

(B) The current budget for each program at each facility;

(D) A list of all staff, supplies, and equipment necessary to improve the existing programs or to implement new programs to prepare inmates for reintegration, including the possible expansion of the Kulani Correctional Facility program to other facilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Departments of Education and Public Safety is requested to work together to:

(1) Examine the current data tracking systems of the Departments and the feasibility of integrating these systems to ensure inmates taking GED or other courses before release continue the necessary courses upon release;

(2) Examine the feasibility, uses, and costs of jointly hiring counselors and other necessary staff to help inmates transition from their programs while incarcerated to their needed courses and training post-release;

(3) Work with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to create a permanent, personalized educational and job preparation plan for soon-to-be-released inmates, parolees, and other released persons who express a desire for additional education to prepare for a gainful employment; and

(4) Submit a report on their findings and progress with to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008, with their findings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, the Director of Public Safety, the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Director of the Department of Health.

Report Title:

Education; Prison Inmates; Community Reintegration.

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	52
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII