STAND. COM. REP. NO. 169

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 230

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 230 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Department of Public Safety to determine the number of women who are eligible for reintegration into the community and contract with providers of gender-responsive community services to assist these women in successfully transitioning back into the community; and

 

     (2)  Make an appropriation to contract with providers to provide those services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from six entities and seven individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that incarceration is not an effective method to deal with the addiction faced by women being held for illegal drug use.  The root problems that lead to these destructive behaviors must be addressed to successfully break the cycle of substance abuse, crime, and incarceration.  Your Committee further finds that currently, there is a lack of adequate programs that can help incarcerated women face these challenges and assist them in successfully transitioning back into the community.  Unfortunately, the great majority of incarcerated women will be released into the community without the necessary skills and tools for a successful transition.

 

     This measure offers an array of services, including family reunification, employment, education opportunities, and housing, to assist women in successfully transitioning back into the community.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 230 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

 

		____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair