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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
313 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a promising approach to reducing recidivism and helping inmates make the successful transition from prison to the community is through establishing transition programs at correctional facilities that can foster a connection to an inmate's cultural ancestry. When combined with strategies that help Hawaiian inmates reconnect with the values of Hawaiian culture, the transition programs can help break the vicious cycle of crime and punishment as knowledge of such cultural values have helped many cope with social challenges.
The former Kulani correctional facility, in collaboration with Hawaii community college, had developed a greenhouse program in which inmates built and maintained the facilities, grew native plants, raised hydroponic vegetables, and learned landscaping techniques. A similarly modeled program could offer low-custody inmates an opportunity to take part in efforts to restore sites significant to Hawaiian culture and history that have been identified and selected by the office of Hawaiian affairs.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a Hawaiian cultural restoration program for low-custody inmates to participate in a work force dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic Hawaiian sites and areas as determined by the office of Hawaiian affairs.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, the department of public safety shall establish a temporary pilot program to be known as the Hawaiian cultural restoration program that will provide working opportunities for low-custody inmates to participate in the restoration and rebuilding of sites culturally significant to Hawaiian history.
Inmates selected for the pilot program shall be able-bodied individuals capable of heavy construction work, including building a barracks and other living facilities to house the pilot program participants near the work site.
(b) The pilot program shall provide skills development training that will incorporate instruction in the methods of rebuilding the historical site, as well as the background and cultural significance of the site.
(c) The office of Hawaiian affairs shall determine and identify the sites to be restored by the Hawaiian cultural restoration program. The State historic preservation division shall review and approve all proposed work to be conducted on, in, and around historic sites that are selected prior to beginning such work.
For purposes of funding, the Hawaiian cultural restoration program shall be considered an office of Hawaiian affairs project under section 10-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(d) The Hawaiian cultural restoration program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2015.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011-2012 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for the Hawaiian cultural restoration program; provided that the moneys allocated to the program shall reduce any appropriations to the office of Hawaiian affairs under section 10-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by an equal amount.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.
Report Title:
Inmate Rehabilitation; Historical Site Restoration; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Public Safety that assigns select, low-custody inmates on a work detail that restores historical sites selected by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Appropriates funds. Effective July 1, 2011. (HB313 HD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.