STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1137

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 20

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 20 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO COMPREHENSIVELY REEVALUATE ITS POLICIES REGARDING IN-PERSON CONTACT VISITATION AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO BEST SUPPORT INCARCERATED PERSONS IN STAYING CONNECTED WITH LOVED ONES WHO CAN HELP THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY OF REHABILITATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to comprehensively reevaluate its policies regarding in-person contact visitation at correctional facilities throughout the State to best support incarcerated persons in staying connected with loved ones who can help them on their journey of rehabilitation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and one individual.

Your Committee finds that some correctional facilities in the State prohibit in-person contact visitation, requiring incarcerated persons and their visitors to be separated by a barrier such as a pane of glass during visits. According to the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, in-person contact visitation has been shown to significantly lower recidivism rates and encourage positive behavior within correctional facilities.

Your Committee further finds that requesting the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reassess its position on in-person contact visitation at all state correctional facilities would align with the best interests of both incarcerated individuals undergoing rehabilitation and their loved ones.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 20 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair