STAND. COM. REP. NO. 105

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 855

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 855 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce the recidivism rate in the state correctional facilities. 

     Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for a cognitive restructuring and transition pilot program to be established in the County of Hawaii at Kulani Correctional Facility and the Hale Nani Reintegration Center. 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by The Department of Public Safety, the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, Going Home Task Force of the Island of Hawaii, Goodwill Industries Hawaii – Job Connections in Hilo, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and four individuals. 

     Your Committee finds that cognitive restructuring has proven to be a cost-effective means of reducing recidivism and thereby reducing criminal justice costs.  It has been proven to be an effective means for treating substance abusing offenders and is currently used in our correctional facilities, including Hale Ola Ho‘opono program at Kulani Correctional Facility and the Level II substance abuse treatment programs provided by the Salvation Army by contract at many of the State's correctional facilities.

     Your Committee further finds that cognitive restructuring aids offenders in their reentry into the community.  For example, those who have had cognitive skills training are more successful in finding and maintaining employment. 

     Your Committee finds that an appropriation of $33,000, for each year of the 2007-2009 fiscal biennium for a cognitive restructuring and transition pilot program to serve the County of Hawaii at the Kulani Correctional Facility is a wise investment of state resources.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 855 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair