HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	85
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY EFFECTIVE INCARCERATION POLICIES TO IMPROVE HAWAII'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, as states grapple with fiscal challenges and tough budget choices, public safety stakeholders are taking a hard look at the millions of dollars spent on correctional systems; and

 

     WHEREAS, the planned relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center provides a timely opportunity for public safety stakeholders to evaluate Hawaii's correctional system; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's correctional system can benefit from the implementation of effective incarceration policies, programs, and best practices that aim to reduce correctional spending, alleviate inmate overcrowding at correctional facilities, lower recidivism, and address other challenges; and

 

     WHEREAS, a study that identifies and analyzes the effective incarceration policies used by other jurisdictions would provide Hawaii with solutions to improve its correctional system; 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 Chief Justice is requested to establish a task force to study effective incarceration policies in Hawaii and other jurisdictions, and suggest improvements for Hawaii's correctional system, including recommendations for designs of future correctional facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include identification and analysis of effective incarceration policies used in other states and countries and their related costs to develop and recommend methods and strategies that may be employed by Hawaii to improve its correctional system; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of eleven members designated as follows:

 

     (1)  The Chief Justice, or the Chief Justice's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

 

     (2)  The Administrator of the Judiciary's Adult Client Services Branch, or the Administrator's designee;

 

     (3)  The Chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (4)  The Director of Public Safety, or the Director's designee;

 

     (5)  The Chairperson of the House Committee on Public Safety;

 

     (6)  The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs;

 

     (7)  The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (8)  A representative from the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation;

 

     (9)  A faculty member with expertise in criminology or penology appointed by the President of the University of Hawaii;

 

    (10)  A member of the public who has knowledge and expertise with the Hawaii correctional system appointed by the Director of Public Safety;

 

    (11)  A male former prison inmate appointed by the Director of Public Safety;

 

    (12)  A female former prison inmate appointed by the Director of Public Safety; and

 

    (13)  The Chairperson of the Holomua Puuhonua Committee, or the Chairperson's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members of the task force be appointed no later than thirty days after the last day of the Regular Session of 2016, and that the task force convene its initial meeting within thirty days after appointment of the last member; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Judiciary and the Department of Public Safety shall provide administrative support to the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon request of the task force, the Legislative Reference Bureau shall assist in the preparation of the report; provided that, before August 1, 2017, the task force shall submit a draft to the Legislative Reference Bureau, including any other information and materials deemed necessary by the Bureau, for the preparation of the final report; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force, with the assistance of the Legislative Reference Bureau, 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 2018; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Justice, Administrator of the Judiciary's Adult Client Services Branch; Director of Public Safety, Chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, President of the University of Hawaii System, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, President of the Board of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and Chairperson of the Holomua Puuhonua Committee.

Report Title:

Task Force; Legislative Reference Bureau; Study; Effective Incarceration Policies; Hawaii Correctional System