Requesting The Criminal Justice Research Institute, In Collaboration With The Judiciary And Department Of Public Safety, To Report On The Outcomes Of Individuals Released On Bail And Other Forms Of Pretrial Release.
The resolution emphasizes the need for comprehensive data analysis to inform the ongoing discussions about potential bail reforms in Hawaii. Currently, the lack of publicly available data on the outcomes of individuals released after meeting bail presents a significant gap in understanding how different release methods impact public safety and court attendance. The planned report, due by December 1, 2023, aims to address these gaps by presenting detailed statistics on various outcomes for released individuals, which will support evidence-based policymaking in the realm of criminal justice.
HCR113 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the 32nd Legislature of Hawaii, aiming to enhance transparency and data collection regarding bail and pretrial release practices. The resolution calls for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, in collaboration with the Judiciary and Department of Public Safety, to compile and report data on the outcomes of individuals who are released on bail and those utilizing alternative pretrial release methods, such as supervised release and recognizance. This initiative is especially pertinent as various jurisdictions have been moving towards implementing bail reform, an effort to eliminate the use of monetary bail and mitigate its associated inequities.
HCR113 also aligns with findings from the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation's report on bail reform, which indicates that certain jurisdictions have yet to identify clear patterns of increased crime associated with bail reform measures. However, the Hawaii bail system continues to employ monetary conditions, and the resolution seeks to evaluate the efficacy of this approach against alternatives. One notable point of contention may arise from the differing opinions on whether abolishing monetary bail benefits public safety and individual fairness, given the complexities and risks involved in pretrial release variations.