STAND. COM. REP. NO. 457

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1781

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1781 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR COMMUNITY-BASED REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for community-based reintegration programs for former inmates transitioning back into the community.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the ACLU of Hawaii, the Community Alliance on Prisons, Victory Ohana Prison Ministries, and four individuals. The Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii Paroling Authority offered comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that there is a lack of sufficient community-based reintegration programs available for former inmates making the transition back into the community. These programs are vital to the long-term success of these individuals in becoming productive members of society as well as helping to break the cycle of recidivism. The investment that is made into these programs is not only worthwhile, but also cost-effective when compared to the cost of incarcerating former inmates repeatedly for committing additional offenses.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1781 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 Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair