STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1652

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 7

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 7, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION WORKING GROUP AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ESTABLISH VISITATION CENTERS AT ALL STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND JAILS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety, to work with the Family Reunification Working Group and other community stakeholders to develop a plan to establish visitation centers at all state correctional facilities and jails.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Community Alliance on Prisons, Blueprint for Change, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that parental incarceration is a strong risk factor for many adverse outcomes for children, including antisocial and violent behavior, mental health problems, failure to graduate from school, and unemployment. Your Committee further finds that the maintenance of family ties and parent-child relationships is linked to post-release success, lower rates of recidivism, and fewer parole violations. This measure will facilitate the development of visitation centers at state correctional facilities and jails to ensure the wellbeing of incarcerated parents and their families.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 7, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair