Hawaii Senate Bill SCR20

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/25
• Refer: 3/6/25
• Report Pass: 3/18/25
• Engrossed: 3/19/25
• Refer: 4/4/25
• Refer: 4/14/25
• Report Pass: 4/21/25
• Passed: 4/22/25

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Comprehensively Reevaluate Its Policies Regarding In-person Contact Visitation At Correctional Facilities Throughout The State To Best Support Incarcerated Persons In Staying Connected With Loved Ones Who Can Help Them On Their Journey Of Rehabilitation.

Impact

The resolution recognizes that in-person contact visitation plays a crucial role in rehabilitation, particularly for maintaining relationships that can help individuals reintegrate into society post-incarceration. Current practices in some facilities, which include barriers such as glass partitions during visitations, are critiqued as being less supportive of these rehabilitative goals. The resolution advocates for a reexamination of such policies, urging the department to identify best practices that allow for safe, meaningful physical interactions between inmates and their families.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 20 (SCR20) aims to address and improve in-person contact visitation policies within correctional facilities in Hawaii. This resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to comprehensively evaluate its existing policies to better facilitate connections between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. It emphasizes the importance of such connections in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and reducing recidivism rates among incarcerated populations.

Contention

A notable aspect of SCR20 is its focus on the complexities of managing contraband within correctional facilities—an issue that has historically justified the restrictions on contact visitation. Research indicated in the resolution suggests that prohibitive measures may not effectively address contraband issues while simultaneously undermining the potential benefits of family contact for inmates. This highlights a significant contention between security protocols and rehabilitation strategies, calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes both safety and supportive family connections.