STAND. COM. REP. 3301

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.C.R. No. 41

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 41 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING THE SAFETY AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF GUARDS IN THE STATE'S CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study regarding the safety and working conditions of prison guards in state correctional facilities.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the United Public Workers.

Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Public Safety.

The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that there exists stressful working conditions at state correctional facilities, such as inmate overcrowding and prison guard understaffing with ninety-six vacancies unfilled. The understaffing alone has required excessive overtime hours. These difficult conditions have led to employees at state correctional facilities utilizing an average of twenty-seven sick leave days per year, in contrast to other state workers who utilize ten sick days per year.

Your Committee recognizes that the State Auditor has conducted similar studies in the past and that in November 2003, Carter-Goble Associates, Inc. prepared a report entitled 10-Year Corrections Master Plan Update, wherein it was recommended that conditions at state correctional facilities could be improved through facility development. Your Committee understands that supporting the recommendations of that report can help to improve working conditions for prison guards.

However, your Committee recognizes that the previous studies conducted by the Auditor date back more than ten years. Therefore, during the interim, conditions may have changed that would not be reflected in the previous studies. Additionally, although improvements in the correctional facilities will improve working conditions for the prison guards, your Committee believes that this study may also be beneficial in revealing additional problems or solutions to address the needs of the individuals concerned. As the safety of employees, stemming from issues related to working conditions, work schedules, and staffing plans, is the primary concern of this Committee, your Committee determines that this measure should continue to advance in the Legislature to address those concerns.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 41 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

BRIAN KANNO, Chair