REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO COMPREHENSIVELY REEVALUATE ITS POLICIES REGARDING IN-PERSON CONTACT VISITATION AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO BEST SUPPORT INCARCERATED PERSONS IN STAYING CONNECTED WITH LOVED ONES WHO CAN HELP THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY OF REHABILITATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 20) requests Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reevaluate its policies on in-person contact visitation at state correctional facilities. Currently, some facilities like Halawa, Maui Community, and Oahu Community Correctional Centers require visitors to be separated by barriers (e.g., glass), which the resolution states does not effectively prevent contraband. The resolution urges the department to identify alternative policies allowing direct contact visits, citing research showing such visits reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation. It specifically aims to help incarcerated individuals maintain connections with family - especially parents with minor children - to improve successful reintegration into society. The resolution is non-binding but directs the department to prioritize this change.