Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR143

Introduced
3/10/23  

Caption

Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Assist The State In Negotiating With The Federal Government For The Acquisition Of The Federal Detention Center In Honolulu.

Impact

Should the state successfully negotiate the acquisition, SCR143 could provide a critical solution to the issue of overcrowding by enabling the use of the Honolulu Federal Detention Center as a replacement for a potential new community correctional center. The resolution indicates that building new facilities would cost the state an estimated $1.5 to $2 billion, whereas utilizing an existing federal facility could be a more economically viable option. This acquisition is positioned as a way to not only handle the current inmate population but also to redesignate the site of the existing Oahu community correctional center for other uses.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 143 (SCR143) requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to assist the state in negotiating with the federal government for the acquisition of the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. The resolution outlines the need for such acquisition amid ongoing struggles with overcrowding in Hawaii's jails and prisons. The Honolulu Federal Detention Center currently houses a mix of federal pre-trial detainees and inmates awaiting trial in state court at a significantly lower occupancy compared to its maximum capacity. This legislative move seeks to alleviate the existing burden on state correctional facilities, which are currently holding well over their designed capacity.

Contention

Despite its intent to address pressing overcrowding issues, the resolution may bring about debate surrounding the implications of transferring federal detention facilities into state control. There are concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of housing federal inmates within state-operated facilities, as well as the negotiation terms with the federal Bureau of Prisons. Additionally, the resolution's history dating back to 2016 and previous legislative discussions on this topic suggest that there may be differing opinions on the efficacy and desire for such an acquisition within the state's legislative framework. Stakeholders may have varying perspectives on prioritizing state needs versus federal obligations in terms of inmate housing.

Companion Bills

HI SR134

Same As Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Assist The State In Negotiating With The Federal Government For The Acquisition Of The Federal Detention Center In Honolulu.

Previously Filed As

HI SB271

Relating To Public Safety.

HI SCR13

Urging The Members Of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And The Biden Administration To Call For An Immediate, Permanent Bilateral Ceasefire In Gaza And The Return Of All Hostages, And To Continue Negotiations For Lasting Peace In The Region.

HI SCR131

Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Urge Congress To Fund Construction Of A Laboratory Certified By The Environmental Protection Agency To Provide Information To The Public On Environmental Toxins In The State.

HI SCR199

Urging The Federal, State, And County Governments To Collaborate With Community Leaders And Stakeholders To Support Neighborhood Security Watch Programs In Hawaii.

HI SCR215

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Collaborate With Federal, State, And County Governments; Landowners; And Stakeholders To Protect, Restore, And Manage The West Maui Wetlands And Wetlands Statewide.

HI SCR80

Urging The Members Of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Introduce Legislation To Expand The National Flood Insurance Program To Include Lava And Earthquake Insurance.

HI SR6

Urging The President Of The United States And Members Of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Support An Immediate And Permanent Ceasefire In Gaza.

HI HCR208

Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Urge Congress To Fund Construction Of A Laboratory Certified By The Environmental Protection Agency To Provide Information To The Public On Environmental Toxins In The State.

HI SCR110

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Transfer To The State The City And County Of Honolulu's Authority To Construct A Makakilo Drive Extension.

HI HCR198

Requesting The State's Congressional Delegation To Advocate For The Enforcement Of Existing International Laws To Reduce Ghost Nets Entering The State From International Waters And Take Other Actions To Reduce Marine Debris From Fishing Gear.

Similar Bills

HI SR134

Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Assist The State In Negotiating With The Federal Government For The Acquisition Of The Federal Detention Center In Honolulu.

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 SB271

Relating To Public Safety.

HI SB271

Relating To Public Safety.

HI HR85

Urging The State Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Collaborate In The Development Of A World-class, Comprehensive Sports Complex In West Oahu.

HI HCR89

Urging The State Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Collaborate In The Development Of A World-class, Comprehensive Sports Complex In West Oahu.

HI HCR165

Urging The State Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Collaborate In The Development Of A World-class, Comprehensive Sports Complex In West Oahu.

HI HR112

Requesting The Department Of Facility Maintenance Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Dredge And Clean The Ulehawa Stream And Canal.