HB3426 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3426
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds there is a disproportionately high rate of arrest and incarceration among young men and women of Hawaiian ancestry. It is estimated that of the over two thousand incarcerated Hawaiians, seventy per cent are between twenty and forty years of age.

A promising approach to reducing recidivism and helping inmates make the successful transition from prison to the community is cognitive restructuring and transition programs provided at correctional facilities. Such programs involve self-examination of an inmate's belief system, criminal addictive cycle, attitudes and thinking patterns, and development of relapse prevention plans for future situations. The program assists offenders in restructuring their thought processes and teaches cognitive skills that help with basic decision-making and problem-solving. The goal of cognitive restructuring is to guide offenders to consciously examine their own thoughts by engaging in processes that develop self-control, thus making them responsible for, and in charge of, their actions no matter how stressful the situation. When combined with strategies that help Hawaiian inmates get back in touch with the values of their culture, cognitive rehabilitation can help break the vicious cycle of crime and punishment as knowledge of Hawaiian traditions and cultural values have helped many cope with social challenges.

The purpose of this Act is to a establish a reintegration pilot program within correctional facilities combining cognitive behavioral theory with Native Hawaiian holistic interventions to address domestic violence, addictions, self mastery through identity, and community connections for successful transitions back into the community.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of public safety shall establish a three-year cognitive restructuring reintegration pilot program within Hawaii correctional facilities combining cognitive behavioral theory with Native Hawaiian holistic interventions to address domestic violence, addictions, self mastery through identity, and community connections for successful transitions back into the community.

(b) The department of public safety shall begin implementing the pilot program by , and shall provide a report annually not less than twenty days prior to the commencement of each regular session beginning with the regular session of 2009. The report shall include information regarding the development, implementation, and successes or challenges noted in administering the pilot program to the legislature and any proposed legislation the department finds necessary to improve the pilot project.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of public safety to develop and implement a cognitive restructuring reintegration pilot program using Native Hawaiian holistic methods for incarcerated persons.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.