Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR70

Introduced
3/6/25  

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Expand Its Personal And Professional Development Programs To Include Community Service Programs.

Impact

If adopted, this resolution would see inmates participating in community service programs that involve various public works tasks such as fixing potholes, trimming trees, and litter removal. By incorporating these community tasks into the correctional programs, the resolution aligns with broader goals of enhancing inmate employability while addressing community needs. This move could lead to reduced operational costs for correctional facilities, as inmate labor could offset some of the expenses associated with these public works.

Summary

House Resolution 70 (HR70) is a legislative request aimed at expanding the existing personal and professional development programs within Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The primary impetus behind HR70 is to allow inmates to engage in community service projects, thereby enhancing their skill sets while simultaneously contributing positively to society. This initiative is intended to promote rehabilitation through meaningful work, reducing idleness and recidivism rates among the incarcerated population.

Contention

While the resolution seems to garner general support for its rehabilitative goals, concerns around the implementation and oversight of such programs may arise. Opponents of similar initiatives often argue about potential exploitation of inmate labor and the adequacy of supervision to ensure both the safety of inmates and the quality of work performed. The effectiveness of integrating community service into correctional education programs will depend on the ability to address these practical challenges while maintaining a focus on rehabilitation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

HI SR210

Urging The Department Of Public Safety And Its Successor Agency, The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation, To Acquire The Honolulu Federal Detention Center And Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Assist In Negotiating With The Federal Government For The Acquisition Of The Honolulu Federal Detention Center.

HI HR148

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations And Workforce Development Council To Establish A Task Force To Conduct A Comprehensive Study Of The State's Current Education And Workforce Development Programs.

HI HR180

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Report On The Cultural And Therapeutic Services Provided By Community-based Organizations At The Kawailoa Youth And Family Wellness Center.

HI HR139

Requesting The Women's Corrections Implementation Commission To Develop A Strategy And Make Recommendations To Reduce The Number Of Women Incarcerated At The Women's Community Correctional Center By Twenty-five Percent Over The Next Five Years.

HI HB2228

Relating To The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation.

HI HR78

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Conduct A Study On The Feasibility Of Increasing The Medicaid Reimbursement Payment Rate For Hawaii's Community Care Foster Family Homes And Expanded Adult Residential Care Homes For Medicaid Clients Every Ten Years.

HI HR75

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Establish A Working Group To Address Issues Relating To Reimbursements And Payments To Home And Community-based Services Providers.

HI HCR169

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations And Workforce Development Council To Establish A Task Force To Conduct A Comprehensive Study Of The State's Current Education And Workforce Development Programs.

HI HCR200

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Report On The Cultural And Therapeutic Services Provided By Community-based Organizations At The Kawailoa Youth And Family Wellness Center.

HI SCR41

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations And Workforce Development Council To Establish A Task Force To Conduct A Comprehensive Study Of The State's Current Education And Workforce Development Programs.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.