STAND. COM. REP. NO. 165

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 672

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. 672 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INMATE REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to expand reintegration programs for offenders exiting state correctional facilities and reduce the rate of recidivism.

     Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for a grant to the Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., for the development and maintenance of community-based reintegration programs.

     The Department of Public Safety, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a Maui County Council member, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., TJ Mahoney & Associates Ka Hale Ho‘ala Hou No Na Wahine, and eleven individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., BEST (Being Empowered and Safe Together) is a nationally recognized project that has dramatically and effectively reduced the recidivism rate of the offenders who successfully complete the program.  While the statewide recidivism rate is around eighty per cent, the recidivism rate for BEST Program participants was only fifteen per cent over the last two years.  The BEST program involves the offenders' families, community, and the cultural values of Native Hawaiians in providing a seamless continuum of care, training, and treatment.  The incorporation of Native Hawaiian cultural components has proved effective in healing and building the self-esteem of offenders, which has significantly contributed to the offender's successful reentry into the community.

     Your Committee further finds that additional benefits to successful reintegration programs are reduced costs of incarceration and a general increase in public safety. 

     Your Committee further finds that an appropriation for a grant to fund the continuation and expansion of the Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., BEST Program 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. 672 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