STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 199

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 199 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PRIVATE PRISON PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF SAGUARO CORRECTIONAL CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona, which includes information on the treatment and services provided to Hawaii inmates and the facilitation of family and community connections.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by two private organizations and six individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that an audit of the Saguaro Correctional Center is an important step in ensuring that Hawaii inmates at the Center are receiving appropriate services, given the State's contract with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) to operate the Arizona facility, and amidst allegations of mismanagement and mistreatment of prisoners by CCA and two deaths in the Center since August 2008.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 199, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair