THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	71
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the CONVENING OF a task force to consider the feasibility of opening a wellness center that focuses on community reentry programs near hilo international airport.

     WHEREAS, there is currently a shortage of correctional facilities in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, because of this shortage, Hawaii has exported some of its inmates to correctional facilities on the Mainland; and

     WHEREAS, sending inmates to the Mainland removes them from their families and loved ones and places them in an unfamiliar environment; and

     WHEREAS, a Honolulu Star Advertiser article on December 20, 2010, offered comments by Governor Abercrombie, that sending inmates to the Mainland "costs money.  It costs communities.  It destroys families.  It is dysfunctional all the way around — socially, economically, politically and morally"; and

     WHEREAS, returning to Hawaii those inmates who have been transferred to facilities on the Mainland offers the greatest potential for successful rehabilitation, which results in lower recidivism rates and lower costs; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need for additional facilities to prepare for the return of Hawaii inmates from the Mainland and to ensure that Hawaii inmates are not sent to prisons on the Mainland in the future; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Public Safety is requested to convene a task force to explore the feasibility of opening a wellness center that focuses on community reentry programs near Hilo International Airport; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force address the need for additional facilities to support the effort to return Hawaii inmates from the Mainland; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of the following individuals:

     (1)  The Director of Public Safety, or the Director's designee;

     (2)  The Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the Chairperson's designee;

     (3)  A representative from the Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Farmers Association;

     (4)  A representative from the Keaukaha Community Association, Inc.; and

     (5)  A representative of any other vested stakeholder that the above-listed entities see fit; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012 on the task force's findings and recommendations, including the following:

     (1)  A description of present community-based reentry programs in the State;

     (2)  Criteria for the programs to ensure that program objectives are met;

     (3)  The number of Hawaii inmates presently in community-based reentry programs;

     (4)  Issues related to the expansion of effective programs across the State to enable and prepare for the return of Hawaii inmates from the Mainland; and

     (5)  A work plan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Public Safety, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Keaukaha Pana‘ewa Farmers Association, and Keaukaha Community Association, Inc.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Task Force; DPS; Return of Mainland Inmates; Wellness Reentry Center