SCR 26: Requesting the department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in planning and designing the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa, to include circuit and district court facilities and Establish a release procedure under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in planning and designing the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa, to include circuit and district court facilities and Establish a release procedure under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces.

     WHEREAS, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is currently in the planning and design stage of the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa to replace the current facility in Kalihi; and

     WHEREAS, various factors should be considered in the planning and design of the replacement facility, including the costs related to operating the facility in Halawa rather than Kalihi and the impact on the surrounding communities; and

     WHEREAS, concerns have been raised regarding the significant cost and impact of regularly transporting detainees between the new facility and courts in Honolulu for legal proceedings, including the costs of additional labor, vehicles, and gasoline, and contribution to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion; and

     WHEREAS, concerns have also been raised by the surrounding communities regarding the possible impact on public safety by having the new Oahu Community Correctional Center release detainees or inmates directly into residential communities or public spaces such as parks; and

     WHEREAS, section 353-16.37, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the affected community to develop a Community Benefit and Enhancement Package, which may include but not be limited to infrastructure improvements and other government functions, to mitigate the negative aspects of building a correctional facility in the community; and

     WHEREAS, having circuit and district court facilities within the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa will significantly reduce the frequency of transporting detainees between the new facility and courts in Honolulu; and

     WHEREAS, having the new Oahu Community Correctional Center adhere to a release procedure under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces will mitigate possible impacts on public safety; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in planning and designing the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa, is requested to:

     (1)  Coordinate with the Judiciary to include circuit and district court facilities in the new Oahu Community Correctional Center; and

     (2)  Establish a release procedure to be implemented by the new Oahu Community Correctional Center under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Report Title: 

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Judiciary; Department of Accounting and General Services; Governor; New Oahu Community Correctional Center; Planning and Designs; Courts; Release Procedures

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1590

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 26

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 26 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, IN PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE NEW OAHU COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN HALAWA, TO INCLUDE CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURT FACILITIES AND ESTABLISH A RELEASE PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH DETAINEES OR INMATES, UPON RELEASE, ARE TRANSPORTED TO A SITE OTHER THAN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES OR PUBLIC SPACES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in planning and designing the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa, to include circuit and district court facilities and establish a release procedure under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that implementing an on-site courtroom presents a transformative opportunity to enhance security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the judicial and correctional systems.  The financial burden of defendant transportation is substantial, encompassing fuel expenses, vehicle maintenance, and the manpower required for safe transit.  Your Committee believes that the establishment of an on-site courtroom will alleviate these costs by removing the need for frequent and resource-intensive travel.  This measure will improve overall operational efficiency, reduce overtime, and allow for a more strategic allocation of taxpayer dollars.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 26 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1156

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 26

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 26 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, IN PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE NEW OAHU COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN HALAWA, TO INCLUDE CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURT FACILITIES AND ESTABLISH A RELEASE PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH DETAINEES OR INMATES, UPON RELEASE, ARE TRANSPORTED TO A SITE OTHER THAN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES OR PUBLIC SPACES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in planning and designing the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa:

(1)  Include circuit and district court facilities; and

(2)  Establish a release procedure under which detainees or inmates, upon release, are transported to a site other than residential communities or public spaces.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary and Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is currently in the planning and design stage of the new Oahu Community Correctional Center in Halawa.  Your Committee further finds that concerns have been raised regarding the location of the new facility from the courts and its possible impact on public safety to the surrounding communities.  Establishment of procedures by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for releasing persons in custody into sites other than residential communities and public spaces, along with the implementation of an on-site courtroom for the new correctional facility being built in Halawa, would present a transformative opportunity to enhance public safety, security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the judicial and correctional systems.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 26 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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