Report Title:

Corrections; Work Furlough; Work Release

Description:

Establishes the work furlough and work release programs, and appropriates funds to expand the programs in areas such as providing opportunities to female inmates. Also, provides that both programs shall seek opportunities for participating inmates to work on affordable housing projects.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1122

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to corrections.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, presently, the department of public safety conducts a work furlough program that provides valuable re-integration services to inmates as they make the transition from incarceration to parole or discharge. The work furlough program affords inmates the opportunity to become gainfully employed upon release by acclimating them into the community, affording them the opportunity to generate income and develop good work habits, and providing treatment services such as substance abuse and mental health treatment.

The legislature further finds that, although the work furlough program has been created administratively, existing law does not specifically require the department of public safety to provide a work furlough program. Current law establishes conditional release centers for this purpose in section 353-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which provide housing, meals, supervision, guidance, furloughs, and other correctional programs for inmates. The legislature further finds that work furlough is a necessary and effective rehabilitation and career training program that should be specifically established in statute and expanded to provide work furlough opportunities to more qualified inmates, including women inmates.

The legislature further finds that the administratively created work release program also deserves establishment in statute. This program, which is not designed for rehabilitation, allows inmates to perform maintenance work on public property such as state and county parks, roads, facilities, and conservation lands. The program is usually intended for inmates serving short sentences for nonviolent crimes. The legislature believes that, in addition to statutory establishment, the work release program should focus predominantly on employment training.

Finally, the legislature finds that inmates in the work furlough and work release programs may be able to lend their skills to the construction of affordable housing.

The purpose of this Act is to: (1) statutorily establish the work furlough and work release programs; (2) provide funds to expand both programs, including expansion of program opportunities for women inmates; and (3) specify that the department seek opportunities for qualifying work furlough and work release inmates to work on the construction of affordable housing projects.

SECTION 2. Chapter 353, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§353- Work furlough program; work release program. (a) There is established a work furlough program to be administered by the department in accordance with policies and procedures established by the department for the program. The program shall include, but not be limited to, providing work and career training, rehabilitation, re-integration services, and employment opportunities for committed persons. The department shall contract with reputable service providers to accommodate every eligible inmate for the work furlough program, including female inmates.

(b) There is established a work release program to be administered by the department at each facility in accordance with policies and procedures established by the department for the program. The program shall have the primary objective of providing employment training, by allowing qualified inmates to perform work for the State or a county at public facilities or on public lands outside of the facility and under appropriate supervision. The department shall ensure that the work release program accommodates as many committed persons qualified for the program and desiring to be included in the program as possible, including eligible female inmates. All state and county agencies shall cooperate with the department in providing appropriate jobs under the work release program.

(c) Among other types of services, the work furlough and work release programs shall seek opportunities for inmates to provide low-cost construction services to nonprofit affordable housing agencies and programs."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for expansion of the work furlough program for incarcerated persons, including providing facilities, hiring or contracting personnel, and including additional furlough opportunities for women inmates.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for expansion of the work release program, including but not limited to expanding work release opportunities for women inmates.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3, 4, and 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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