Bill > SCR126

This concurrent resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to gradually reduce the number of Hawaii inmates housed in private, out-of-state correctional facilities, recognizing the significant negative impacts of this practice. The resolution highlights that for over two decades, the state has relied on these out-of-state, for-profit facilities, which effectively exile inmates thousands of miles from their families and support networks, contrary to the original legislative intent of Act 208 from 1994. The Department is specifically asked to incrementally decrease out-of-state inmate populations and submit progress reports to the Legislature before the regular legislative sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030, detailing their efforts to reduce the number of inmates in these facilities. The resolution acknowledges that despite initial efforts to address prison overcrowding, the practice of transferring inmates to mainland private prisons has not resolved underlying issues of mass incarceration and continues to have detrimental effects on inmates and their communities. Certified copies of the resolution will be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=126&year=2025