STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1475

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.C.R. No. 156

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 156 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY'S TOURISM STRATEGIC PLAN, KE KUMU, AND ITS EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE TOURISM COMPONENT OF HAWAII'S ECONOMY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as received, is to recognize the Hawaii Tourism Authority's efforts in strengthening tourism as a component of Hawaii's economy.

Your Committee circulated a proposal to amend this measure, which requests a review of the economic viability of relocating the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and constructing a new secure facility.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed new language from the Department of Public Safety (Department).

Your Committee finds that OCCC has clearly outgrown the current site. The inability to install the type of fencing and clear zones necessary to ensure a secure perimeter is only one of the problems with the present location. The population assigned to OCCC today is much larger and more dangerous then the type of inmate the facility was designed for in the mid-1970s.

Your Committee further finds that when OCCC was constructed, it was assumed the exterior walls of the facility would provide adequate security for the minimum security inmates expected to be housed. Given this assumption, no land was dedicated to a perimeter fence with watchtowers, or to establish a clear zone around the facility to provide the type of security necessary for medium-security inmates. Attempts to remedy this situation fall far short of meeting industry standards, and under these conditions, the Department will continually struggle to prevent escapes.

Your Committee has also heard that there are problems associated with the expansions that have taken place over the years. The recreation field, which must accommodate over 1,000 inmates in the course of a week, is adjacent to the parking lot and bordered on the makai side by a private storage facility. A double fence with razor wire separates this much needed exercise area from a private company's property, but the area between the double fence also serves as a passageway for inmates who move from one side of the facility to the other.

Prison officials also expressed concerns that the medical unit is confined to a relatively small space without room to expand, and the medical staff has had to improvise to ensure all inmates are afforded the level of medical care needed. There is limited space for educational programming, which precludes a great number of inmates from taking GED and other classes.

Your Committee has also heard that the inefficiencies of the facility must be met by increased personnel. The ratio of corrections officers to inmates at OCCC is nearly double that of the federal detention center, for example.

Your Committee believes that developing a new facility on a site more suitable for a correctional center could significantly decrease the operating costs through more efficient design and technology. It would also enhance security within the facility and provide greater protection for the community.

Your Committee notes that, as amended, this measure will provide for a review of the economic feasibility of relocating OCCC and the construction of a new, more secure facility, and will examine the cost savings related to greater efficiencies, particularly regarding personnel savings.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 156, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 156, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair