Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Incrementally And Systematically Reduce The Number Of Inmates Incarcerated In Private, Out-of-state Correctional Facilities.
By urging the reduction of reliance on private, out-of-state incarceration, HCR153 aims to address long-standing issues surrounding the transportation of inmates away from their homes. The resolution suggests that such moves have negative implications for inmates' reintegration into society, as they are effectively exiled from their support systems. Additionally, legislators acknowledge that previous efforts, such as Act 208, intended to prevent the transfer of individuals with strong community ties, have not been adequately followed, leading to a loss of focus on rehabilitation and community reintegration.
House Concurrent Resolution 153 (HCR153) proposes that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation of Hawaii incrementally and systematically reduce the number of inmates housed in private, out-of-state correctional facilities. This initiative arises from concerns regarding the adverse effects of housing inmates far from their communities, disrupting their connections to family and support networks which are crucial for successful rehabilitation. The resolution recognizes that the practice has been in place for over two decades and highlights the issues that have persisted despite earlier legislative efforts aimed at alleviating overcrowding in state prisons.
The implementation of HCR153 could fundamentally shift Hawaii's correctional policies, with potential points of contention including how to handle the existing contracts with private prisons and the management of prison populations. There are concerns about whether the state has sufficient resources and infrastructure to accommodate an influx of returning inmates from out-of-state facilities, alongside issues related to prison overcrowding that may persist despite such efforts. Moreover, stakeholders may debate the best methods to strengthen support resources for inmates transitioning back into their communities, and whether such a resolution effectively addresses the systemic issues within the state's criminal justice framework.