THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3126

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PRISONS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's prison system houses many more inmates than it was designed to accommodate.  Hawaii has a population of approximately five thousand six hundred inmates, costing the State about $52,000 per inmate per year.  One reason the prison system is overburdened is that 49.6 per cent of convicted felons return to prison within one year of their release.  However, forty-three per cent of people who seek and attain education in prison are less likely to return.  Accordingly, reducing recidivism by ten inmates would save the State about $520,000 annually.

     The legislature further finds that in order to reduce recidivism, several states have established programs that include training and mentoring to give inmates an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business skills that will facilitate their reentry into society.  The Darden School of Business and the University of Virginia have partnered with the Dillwyn Correctional Center to teach eligible and willing inmate students business skills to reduce recidivism.  Recidivism rates in Virginia are currently about twenty-three per cent while the rate is seventy per cent nationally.  Similar programs have been established in other jurisdictions such as the District of Columbia through the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and New York through Columbia Business School.  An initial investment in this type of program has potential for enormous cost savings for the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a four-year pilot program in Hawaii to reduce recidivism by providing inmates with the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce and appropriate funds for the program.  

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is created within the department of public safety a working group that shall establish a pilot program to reduce recidivism.  Members of the working group shall be selected by the director of public safety, who shall serve as chairperson.

     (b)  The department of public safety shall coordinate with an accredited institution of higher education to create a program designed to reduce recidivism.  The program shall focus on providing inmates with business, entrepreneurial, and financial literacy education to set a foundation for the inmates to succeed after their release from incarceration.  The program may be scalable, beginning with a pilot cohort of individuals, and expanded as appropriate.

     (c)  The working group shall submit to the legislature the following reports on the status of the pilot program, along with any proposed legislation, as follows:

     (1)  An interim report, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022; and

     (2)  A final report, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

     (d)  The working group and pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2024.

     SECTION 3.  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 2020-2021 for the pilot program established pursuant to this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

DPS; Prisons; Recidivism; Pilot Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a four-year pilot program and working group within the Department of Public Safety to reduce recidivism by providing business education to inmates.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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