STAND. COM. REP. NO.  8

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help ensure that inmates and their families can remain united by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop a plan by January 1, 2008, to return all female Hawaii prisoners who have been sent from Hawaii to mainland corrections facilities for incarceration back to Hawaii by July 1, 2009; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds for DPS to carry out this task.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Community Alliance on Prisons, Government Efficiency Teams, Inc., TJ Mahoney & Associates, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  DPS supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee supports bringing home Hawaii's female inmates incarcerated in mainland prisons.  Bringing these women home will give them the invaluable opportunity to interact with their children and families during incarceration.  This will move them toward a better future after incarceration and will reduce the incidences of recidivism.

     Your Committee finds that the plan referred to in this bill is best described as an "exit" strategy for Hawaii's incarcerated women housed on the mainland.  The plan will provide the State with an outline of the steps needed and in what order they should be taken, to ensure a successful transition for these women inmates if they are allowed to return to Hawaii.  In formulating this plan, DPS is requested to consider information regarding:

     (1)  The projected population and facility requirements for housing the women inmates;

     (2)  How other state or federal departments might contribute land or facilities;

     (3)  The feasibility of public or private partnerships to provide facilities;

     (4)  The use of current locations to expand or renovate;

     (5)  Any intended programs and staffing needs for incarcerated women such as substance abuse programs and restorative circles; and

     (6)  Types of public outreach and community input policies that should be implemented.

     Your Committee finds that a successful plan will provide valuable guidance to the legislature in its decisions regarding funding operating and capital improvement projects to better serve 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. 2 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