HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	368
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to public safety.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that re-entry facilities house offenders in transitional environments while they learn to reengage with the community, find employment, and become familiar with the social services that will allow them to establish law-abiding and productive lifestyles.  Re-entry facilities are instrumental in reducing recidivism.  Offenders confront many obstacles in their path to successful reintegration, including social and economic disadvantages, education limitations, mental and physical health issues, and substance abuse problems.  Comprehensive re-entry programs have been shown to reduce recidivism when offenders start the programs before their release.

     The legislature further finds that there is a positive economic impact from re-entry programs, supported by cost-benefit analyses.  According to the Urban Institute, Maryland's Reentry Partnership Initiative program returned $3 in benefits for every $1 in new costs.  Additionally, the State may apply for grants to support a re-entry program under the federal Second Chance Act of 2007.

     The legislature additionally finds that the State has an extensive problem with recidivism and prison capacity.  To alleviate these problems, this Act proposes the construction of a comprehensive re-entry facility with two hundred fifty beds.  During the initial intake phase, offenders will be evaluated to determine their readiness for release and participate in a variety of educational, mental, and fitness programs.  After successful completion of the thirty day maximum intake phase, offenders will enter the second phase where they will live in a less restricted environment and engage in mandatory programs, including victim impact and awareness, anger management, and critical thinking sessions.  Offenders will be able to participate in other programs, including general education development completion, computer training, money management, nutrition, job searching, and community volunteering.  In the final phase, offenders will work to secure jobs, save and pay a portion of the cost for staying at the facility, and engage in programs designed to build their skills and resume.

     The legislature also finds that for a minimal additional cost, a day reporting program may be established to provide a location for the offenders and their parole officers to have regular contact.  The day reporting program will provide a combination of individual and group counseling, drug testing, and flash incarceration when necessary.  The immediate and long-term goals of the re-entry facility and day reporting program include curbing recidivism, meeting the supervision needs of adult offenders, providing programs and services, providing cost-effective solutions, providing a return to custody, and promoting public safety.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize and appropriate funds for the department of public safety to establish and implement a residential re-entry facility and day reporting program for criminal offenders, including offenders in the work furlough program.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the department of public safety to plan, design, construct, and finance a residential re-entry facility and day reporting program for criminal offenders, as described in section 1 of this Act; provided that the department of public safety may enter into a public-private partnership for the development of the re-entry facility and day reporting program and may contract a third party for construction of the facility with no initial costs to the contractor and a payment plan of up to thirty years.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Recidivism; Criminal Offenders; Re-Entry Facility; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation; Department of Public Safety

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and makes an appropriation to the department of public safety for the establishment and implementation of a re-entry facility for criminal offenders, which will include residential and day reporting programs.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.