Report Title:
Public Safety; Gender Responsive Community Based Programs for Women and Girls
Description:
Appropriates funds to the department of public safety and the office of youth services for the expansion of gender-responsive community based programs for women and girls.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
467 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the existing gender-responsive community based programs for women and girls throughout the State are inadequate.
The legislature further finds that community based programs are less costly and more effective than incarceration and are a better solution to prison over-crowding for women offenders than sending prisoners to mainland prisons.
Hawaii's rising adult female population in correctional institutions is currently comprised of twelve per cent of incarcerated offenders, which is more than twice the national average. The juvenile female offender population is almost twenty per cent of the incarcerated youth population.
In Hawaii, instruments and protocols for adult incarcerated offenders are primarily designed to address the needs of medium-security violent males. Research has shown that the majority of female offenders are non-violent and are more appropriately served in gender responsive community based programs.
Data from the department of public safety shows that women are incarcerated at almost twice the rate of men. From January 1, 2001, to February 25, 2002, the population of incarcerated males rose 6.7 per cent, while the incarcerated female population rose 12.4 per cent. From January 1, 2001, to November 17, 2003, the population of incarcerated males rose 15.4 per cent, while the incarcerated female population rose 28.8 per cent.
While there are eight times as many men in Hawaii prisons as women, the number of incarcerated women is rising at a faster rate than the rate of incarcerated men. From January 1, 2001, to January 19, 2004, the number of female inmates in state facilities grew by 32.8 per cent, while the male population rose 9.8 per cent. From January 1, 2001, to January 19, 2004, the number of female parole violators rose thirty per cent, while male parole violators rose 18.3 per cent.
According to the department of public safety statistics for the year 2000, sixty per cent of the incarcerated females have at least one child. Research has shown that girls whose mothers are in prison are at greater risk of following in their mother's footsteps.
Pathways to crime are different for women and girls than they are for men and boys. Incarcerating women and girls in environments that are designed primarily for men and boys without appropriate programming to address their needs has resulted in recidivism caused primarily by parole violations and minor offenses.
Women and girls need comprehensive reentry services and community wrap-around services with case management services. Effective programs link substance abuse, criminal justice, public health, housing, and employment services.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of public safety and the office of youth services for the expansion of gender-responsive community based programs for women and girls.
SECTION 2. 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 2007-2008, to the department of public safety for the expansion of gender-based community based programs for women and girls.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety.
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 2007-2008, to the office of youth services for the expansion of gender responsive community based programs for women and children.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services.
SECTION 4. A status report shall be filed with the legislature by the department of public safety and the office of youth services twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 legislature. The report shall contain information on the impact of the expansion of the gender-responsive community based programs for women and girls, information regarding whether the funding is adequate and, if necessary, a request for additional funding.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.