STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1465

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 26

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 26 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND ITS STRUCTURED COMMUNITY PLACEMENT PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to help criminal offenders transition back into the community after incarceration.

     Specifically, this measure encourages the expansion and use of structured community placement programs to transition formerly incarcerated female inmates back into society, including continuance of the program administered by the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Community Alliance on Prisons.

     Your Committee finds that community-based programs for former criminal offenders promote rehabilitation by helping individuals break the cycle of substance abuse, crime, and incarceration.  Structured community placement programs offer a more integrated and seamless re-socialization and community reentry process for formerly incarcerated females adjusting to independent living and reunification with their families.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 26 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair