Report Title:

Corrections; Population Management Commission; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of public safety to fund an executive secretary position to support the corrections population management commission.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

37

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

ReLATING TO THE CORRECTIONS POPULATION MaNAGEMEnT CommISSION.

 

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

SECTION 1. The corrections population management commission, established by Act 343, Session Laws of Hawaii 1993, was created to "develop mechanisms to prevent inmate population from exceeding the capacity of correctional facilities." In 1995, the commission provided the legislature with a comprehensive report that recommended a three-prong approach to controlling incarcerated populations:

(1) Reduce admissions through alternatives to incarceration;

(2) Reduce length-of-stay through increased programming for inmates; and

(3) Expand the capacity of the correctional system.

It was through Act 343 that the first drug court was established in Hawaii and the Hawaii Revised Statutes were amended to provide for intermediate sanctions. In 2001, the commission completed a comprehensive examination of the capacity of the correctional system and presented those findings to the legislature in 2002.

Section 353F-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the department of public safety to "appoint an executive secretary and additional staff as necessary to carry out the functions of the commission. All staff shall be appointed without regard to chapter 76." For the first three years, the legislature appropriated funds for these positions. After those funds expired, the commission has relied on existing department of public safety staff for support. There is no dedicated staff for this purpose and this has seriously impacted the ability of the commission to research, study, and develop corrections population control recommendations. With proper staffing, the commission can fulfill its mandate.

The purpose of this Act is to fund an executive secretary position to support the corrections population management commission.

SECTION 2. 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 $        , or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2006-2007, to carry out the purpose of this Act, including the purchase of office equipment and other expenses.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________