HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1131

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO GENDER PARITY IN PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that section 367D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires parity in the programming offered to women and men incarcerated in the State's correctional facilities.  More specifically, section 367D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides that female prisoners "shall be provided a range and quality of programming substantially equivalent to the range and quality of programming offered to male persons who are similarly situated."  These programs include educational development, job training, substance abuse and cognitive-behavioral treatment services, and cultural practices.

     The legislature further finds that, based on the information provided in the department of public safety's December 2021 report to the legislature on gender responsive community based programs for women, parity does not appear to exist with respect to the range and quality of programming that is currently available to female and male inmates in the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the University of Hawaii to conduct a comparative study of all programming offered to persons incarcerated at correctional facilities in the State for the purpose of identifying gaps in programming offered to female inmates.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The University of Hawaii at Manoa Thompson school of social work and public health shall conduct a comparative study of all programming offered to persons incarcerated at correctional facilities in the State for the purpose of identifying gaps in programming offered to female inmates.

     (b)  The comparative study shall include the interagency council on intermediate sanctions correctional program checklist committee members, who shall review documents, observe program components and interactions, and interview staff and participants in order to evaluate effective practices in the delivery of range and quality programs offered to persons incarcerated at correctional facilities in the State.

     (c)  The comparative study shall include the following:

     (1)  Identification of any disparities in the range and quality of programming offered to female inmates and programming offered to male inmates;

     (2)  A program assessment coordinated by the department of public safety; provided that if any area of improvement, range, or disparity is identified, the department will assist the contractor in addressing areas in need of improvement; and

     (3)  Recommendations of potential sources of funding to facilitate parity in the range and quality of programming that is offered to female and male inmates in the State that require approval from the department of public safety and a competitive request for proposal process.

     (d)  The University of Hawaii at Manoa Thompson school of social work and public health shall submit the comparative study, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than December 1, 2023.

     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 2023-2024 for the comparative study required by section 2 of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

 

 

Report Title:

Corrections; Inmates; Programming; Gender Parity; UH; Study

 

Description:

Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa Thompson school of social work and public health to conduct a comparative study of all programming offered to persons incarcerated at correctional facilities in the State for the purpose of identifying gaps in programming offered to female inmates.  Requires that the study be submitted to the legislature by 12/1/2023.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 6/30/3000.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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