SB2365 SD1

Report Title:

Hawaii Paroling Authority; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for various programs to improve the efficiency and services of the authority. (SD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2365
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the hawaii paroling authority.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii paroling authority is responsible for decisions concerning the time a convicted offender spends in prison, including minimum terms of incarceration, approval or deferral of release at completion of the minimum sentence (or subsequent hearings), and decisions to return parole violators to secure custody. The sentencing model is complex and many offenders serve the total time for a sentence in several installments. The authority stresses correctional treatment and returns to prison for parole violations. Arrests and convictions on parole are infrequent, but revocation for failure to comply with parole conditions returns more than two-fifths of parolees to prison within two years.

The legislature further finds that while risk factors for parole failure are well documented – having previously been on parole, an extensive criminal history, alcohol and drug dependence, and a poor record of legal employment and community and personal stability prior to the sentence – the authority does not have sufficient treatment resources to meet the demand and prevent parole failure.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for programs to improve the implementation of the authority's policies.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $125,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the purchase and installation of a modern case record information system for parole board actions and parolee supervision, and a position for technical support and staff training.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $60,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for development and implementation of a reporting system for program operations, including follow up and outcome assessment.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $160,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for purchase of specific program services in the community.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for increased access to mental health services to enhance parole supervision.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $268,800, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for six additional parole officer positions to accommodate the large volume of cases assigned to parole supervision.

SECTION 7. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii paroling authority for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.