STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1240

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 117

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 117 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY-BASED WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAMS TO ASSIST FEMALE INMATES TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the continuation and expansion of community-based work furlough programs to help female inmates transition back into society.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Community Alliance on Prisons, and YWCA Oahu.

 

     Your Committee finds that supporting the expanded use of alternatives to incarceration is essential for promoting public welfare and reforming the State's correctional system.  The expanded use of alternatives to incarceration is particularly important for the State's population of female inmates.  The majority of female inmates are nonviolent offenders who do not pose a threat to the community.  In addition, many female inmates are the mothers of minor children, and their incarceration threatens the destruction of the family unit.  Further, many female offenders are re-incarcerated if they do not receive proper support during their transition back into society.  Community-based work furlough programs can be an effective means of transitioning inmates back into society.  Moreover, these work furlough programs can help reduce incarceration costs, reduce recidivism, and create safer communities.  Accordingly, community-based work furlough programs designed to help female inmates transition back into society should be continued and expanded.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 117 and recommends that it be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair