SR27

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, separate programs and schools for former inmates may provide a more comfortable environment for those wishing to continue their education and training; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Department of Education is requested to establish:

(1) Special schooling or programs to encourage and provide opportunities for inmates exiting prison to obtain a general education development diploma to increase an inmate's opportunities to obtain employment in the community;

(2) A special school or schools at appropriate locations to accomplish the general education development school initiative;

(3) A permanent, personalized educational and job preparation plan for parolees and other released persons who express a desire for additional education to prepare for a gainful employment; and

(4) A voluntary data tracking system that is developed and maintained in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety to identify successful educational components; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety is requested to establish:

(1) Distance learning programs for inmates still incarcerated to facilitate educational opportunities;

(2) Programs, developed in conjunction with the Department of Education, to assist inmates with the continuation of educational plans and preparation for gainful employment upon release; and

(3) A voluntary data tracking system that is developed and maintained in conjunction with the department of education to identify successful educational components; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Departments of Education and Public Safety shall submit to the Legislature a report on the establishment of programs and systems requested by this Resolution, including but not limited to data on inmates who continue with educational plans begun while incarcerated, successful and unsuccessful educational components, and any recommendations for successful inmate reintegration into the community, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Director of Public Safety.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Education; Prison Inmates; Community Reintegration.

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	27
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII