STAND. COM. REP. NO. 709

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 284

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 284, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support programs that help inmates successfully transition back into the community by requiring the Department of Public Safety to establish a Hawaiian cultural restoration program that allows non-violent inmates to participate in work opportunities dedicated to preserving and restoring historic Hawaiian sites designated by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Andy Botts, National Association of Reformed Criminals.  Written comments on this measure were received from Richard W. Stacy, Deputy Attorney General, Department of the Attorney General; and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Your Committee finds that programs for incarcerated individuals can greatly assist their successful rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.  By incorporating cultural learning, these programs have the added benefit of spreading historic knowledge and cultural values that can instill pride and a sense of belonging in an individual's community.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Public Safety to adopt rules defining "non-violent inmates" for purposes of this measure and to set forth criteria for the selection of inmates for the pilot program;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on the measure; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 284, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 284, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair