HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

123

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A PRISON AT THE STATE QUARANTINE STATION AT HALAWA, OAHU.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, with incarceration of Hawaii inmates on the mainland, thousands of miles away from family and other community support, which is an integral part of any successful reentry back into the community, the rate of recidivism of mainland housed prisoners committing subsequent crimes is estimated at as high as ninety per cent, compared to a rate of recidivism of forty-five to fifty-seven per cent for inmates imprisoned here; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognized this issue with the enactment of Act 8, Special Session of 2007, requiring the return to Hawaii of inmates held in out-of-state prisons within at least one year prior to the inmate's parole or release date, in order for these inmates to participate in programs preparing them for reentry on the island where they have the most support; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are potential sites within the State, on both public and private lands, that may be appropriate for the development of correctional facilities that may allow the State to properly implement the return and reentry provisions of Act 8 and ease the overall correctional facilities overcrowding problem within the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to study:

 

(1)  The feasibility of constructing correctional facilities at the former animal quarantine station at Halawa, Oahu;

 

     (2)  Whether the State may consider the fee simple sale or, if the lands are part of the public ceded lands trust, a long-term lease or other appropriate method of alienation of development rights for the lands presently housing the Oahu Community Correctional Center; and

 

     (3)  Whether the proceeds from the sale of the fee interest, long-term lease, or other alienation of development rights in the lands presently housing the Oahu Community Correctional Center would be sufficient to finance the construction of a new prison facility in the State.

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Director of Public Safety.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Correctional Facilities