Prisons Committee Goes On the Road

Photo: Maui Community Correctional Center in Wailuku.

The joint legislative oversight committee on prisons will hold community meetings and site visits on all the islands this summer starting July 7th on Maui. The meeting will be held at the Family Living Center, 99 Mahalani Street, in Wailuku, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Rep. Cindy Evans, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, reports that the committee will conduct an overview of prison conditions, including prison capacity, staffing shortages, complaints, mental health issues, re-entry and rehabilitation. They will also cover expansion plans for the prison site at Puunene.

On a related matter, the governor's list of potential vetoes includes SB932, the legislature's omnibus bill on a re-entry system for adult offenders, including programs and services that will help inmates to successfully reintegrate into the community. The bill received 25 yes votes in the Senate; 49 yes votes, 1 no, and 1 excused, in the House, making an override likely should there be an override session.