HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	200
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the reentry commission to study the feasibility of establishing the reentry academy for training and entrepreneurial resources (rafter) training and mentoring program for inmates.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's prison system houses many more inmates than it was designed for and may be in danger of violating federal standards; and

 

     WHEREAS, there have been continual discussions about building new prison facilities that would be completed in five to ten years; and

 

     WHEREAS, 49.6 per cent of convicted felons return to prison within one year of their release, further straining an overburdened prison system; and

 

     WHEREAS, the reentry into society of former inmates has often been difficult because they frequently lack marketable skills, training they received earlier has become obsolete, or they acquired negative habits while in prison and lack motivation; and

 

     WHEREAS, to reduce recidivism, several states have established programs that include vocational training and mentoring to give inmates the opportunity to learn professional, vocational, and life skills that enable them to become productive and tax-paying contributors to society; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has the opportunity to implement a similar program to provide inmates who demonstrate aptitude and desire with a chance to learn valuable skills and receive entrepreneurial training that will facilitate their successful reentry into society; and

 

WHEREAS, Act 24, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, as amended, established a Reentry Commission to work with the Department of Public Safety in monitoring and reviewing the department's comprehensive offender reentry program, including, among other things, facility educational and treatment programs; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Reentry Commission is requested to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of establishing the Reentry Academy For Training and Entrepreneurial Resources (RAFTER) program to offer inmates training and mentoring in business development and ownership, restaurant and hospitality industry skills, vocational trades, and life skills; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Reentry Commission is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Reentry Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Reentry Commission Skills Training Program.