STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1438

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 83

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 83, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED TO STUDY EFFECTIVE INCARCERATION POLICIES TO IMPROVE HAWAII'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, ALSO IDENTIFY IN ITS FINAL REPORT SITES FOR A NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY THAT ARE TEN ACRES OR LESS IN SIZE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the final report of the task force established pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 85, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, of the Regular Session of 2016, to also identify sites of ten acres or less to reflect the concept that modern correctional facilities can be developed vertically.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Launani Valley Community Association.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committee notes that the task force established pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 85, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, is engaged in a study on effective incarceration policies to improve Hawaii's correctional system.  In a briefing of legislative committees, the task force suggested that the current planning for a new correctional facility may be premature because the task force is considering options to significantly reduce the State's inmate population and create a more cost-effective system focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

     Thus, your Committee finds that the task force should be given the opportunity to identify potential correctional facility sites that are consistent with its inmate incarceration recommendations.

     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.R. No. 83, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair