Bill Text: HI HCR126 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Earned-Time Program
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-28 - (H) Resolution adopted in final form. [HCR126 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2011-HCR126-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
126 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN EARNED-TIME PROGRAM FOR HAWAII'S NON-VIOLENT AND LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENDERS.
WHEREAS, at least 31 correctional jurisdictions use an incentive system that rewards inmates for positive behavior while incarcerated; and
WHEREAS, these incentive systems reward inmates with "earned-time credits"; and
WHEREAS, these credits are earned when the inmate participates in prison programs or activities, including but not limited to education, substance abuse treatment, or vocational training; and
WHEREAS, earned-time credits are a proven model that offers selected inmates a shortened prison stay if they complete educational, vocational, or rehabilitation programs that boost their chances of successful reentry into the community and the labor market; and
WHEREAS, the opportunity to earn sentence credits provides a significant incentive to prisoners who currently are penalized for misconduct but rarely rewarded for positive efforts; and
WHEREAS, awarding earned-time credits is a common correctional practice nationally; and
WHEREAS, there is no evidence that permitting earned-time
credits presents a risk to public safety; and
WHEREAS, permitting earned-time credits does not require the release of
any particular prisoner, make institutional management more difficult, or
interfere with the discretion of the parole board; and
WHEREAS, earned-time credits would provide the Department of Public Safety with a useful tool for managing institutional behavior and promoting participation in rehabilitative programs; and
WHEREAS, earned-time credits could significantly reduce the State's prison population, reduce the population of Hawaii inmates serving sentences on the United States mainland, and save taxpayers money; and
WHEREAS, the rehabilitation of inmates is an important step in the process of enabling inmates to successfully reenter the community; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has testified that more than 30 percent of the men incarcerated on the United States mainland are classified as community custody; and
WHEREAS, a report released by the National Conference of State Legislatures in July 2009, stated that earned-time helps states reduce the corrections budget burden and allows funds saved to be invested in programs that reduce recidivism and help build safe communities; and
WHEREAS, instituting an earned-time credit program can accomplish the goals of bringing those incarcerated on the United States mainland back home, saving money by reinvesting correctional dollars from incarceration to community programs, and keeping local money circulating in the local economy; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of
the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011,
the Senate concurring, that the Department of Public Safety is requested to
determine the feasibility of establishing an earned-time program for Hawaii's non-violent
and low-level drug offenders incarcerated in Hawaii and on the mainland based
upon a study of earned-time credit programs established under the laws of other
jurisdictions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety is requested
to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation,
to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Governor, Director of Public Safety, and Chairperson of Hawaii Paroling Authority.
Earned-Time Program
