STAND. COM. REP. NO.  342-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2945

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2945 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRISONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Public Safety to adopt a policy to mandate all inmates to participate in in-facility workline programs.

     Additionally, this measure:

     (1)  Directs the Department to increase the scope and number of its in-facility workline programs; and

     (2)  Appropriates funds for the Department to develop and operate in-facility workline programs at each correctional facility and in-community workline projects throughout the State.

     Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and a concerned citizen.  The Department of Public Safety supported the intent of the bill.

     Your Committee finds that in-facility and in-community workline programs and projects will prepare offenders for successful reentry into the community by providing them with meaningful job training.  Vocational training and work opportunities have been shown to reduce recidivism and to assist offenders in reuniting with their families and rejoining the community.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2945 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair