Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 144: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO RESTORE THE PRIOR FORMAT, ORGANIZATION, AND SUBSTANTIVE COMPLETENESS OF THE COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

This resolution urges the U.S. Department of State to restore the previous format and content of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The bill directly affects the State Department by requesting it to reinstate detailed reporting on specific human rights issues such as prison conditions, corruption, and restrictions on freedom of assembly. It calls for the reports to return to their prior comprehensive style, which historically included thorough documentation of abuses by foreign governments. The resolution does not have legal force but serves as an official expression of concern from the Hawaii legislature regarding changes made to these reports in 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill advocates for comprehensive human rights reporting including prison conditions and civil liberties, which strengthens oversight and accountability in criminal justice systems.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 89: REQUESTING THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ON OʻAHU.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to create an advisory committee focused on developing recommendations for alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oʻahu. The bill builds on existing research from the Breaking Cycles Study, which examined trauma-informed design, cultural integration, and community-based approaches to incarceration reform. The proposed advisory committee would explore how to implement these alternative models, particularly considering the unique cultural and environmental context of the Halawa site for a new correctional facility. This resolution does not mandate specific actions but asks the oversight commission to form a committee to study and propose ways to incorporate restorative justice principles into the state's correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and restorative justice models, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals by improving correctional approaches and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO CREATE PLACES OF SHELTER FOR PERSONS UNDER CIVIL COMMITMENT AND FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT RISK OF RECIDIVISM.

This bill requests the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to develop a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the hospital who are at risk of returning to the justice system. The resolution addresses concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity and that existing diversion programs have not effectively reduced the jail population due to a lack of coordination between state agencies. The plan must identify suitable placements for people in civil commitment or those being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, with a report and any proposed legislation due to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, reducing recidivism and strengthening rehabilitation programs within the justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving care coordination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 782: RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free communication services in correctional facilities, prohibiting revenue extraction and promoting family connections to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1517: RELATING TO SENTENCING REVIEW.

Establishes a procedure for incarcerated individuals who have served at least ten years of their sentence to petition the court for a sentence reduction. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to report to the Legislature Hawaii Paroling Authority, and Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables sentence reduction petitions after 10 years and mandates oversight reporting, promoting sentencing reform and accountability per Criminal Justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1628: RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

HB 1628 establishes a formal protocol for releasing incarcerated individuals who are terminally ill or have severe, debilitating medical conditions. It directly affects people currently imprisoned who meet specific health criteria, requiring correctional facilities to evaluate and refer eligible cases. The bill creates a defined process for medical assessments, review by prison officials, and court approval for release. This would change how prisons handle compassionate release by replacing ad-hoc decisions with a standardized, documented procedure. The bill is currently pending before the committee, with a hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes standardized compassionate release protocol for terminally ill inmates, reforming correctional practices per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2288: RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.

HB 2288 expands parole eligibility for incarcerated individuals by allowing them to qualify for parole through participation in a broader range of rehabilitation programs. The bill directly affects committed persons (those serving prison sentences) by adding new program types to the existing criteria for parole consideration. Key provisions require correctional facilities to recognize these additional programs as meeting the eligibility requirements for parole hearings. This change aims to provide more pathways for inmates to demonstrate rehabilitation progress before parole consideration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends parole eligibility to include rehabilitation programs (treatment, vocational), promoting reintegration and reducing recidivism per bill's focus on correctional program participation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates inclusion of mental health/substance abuse treatment programs in parole eligibility, directly supporting access to healthcare services for incarcerated individuals through rehabilitation requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2030: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for purchasing body cameras for adult correctional officers to wear while on duty at state correctional facilities, beginning on or after 7/1/2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds body cameras for correctional officers to enhance accountability in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 160: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Health to construct a mental health facility for inmates or detainees with mental health needs in the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health facility for inmates, advancing rehabilitation within corrections system per bill's explicit funding and facility construction mandate.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to construct mental health facility for inmates, directly advancing mental health services through healthcare infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2322: RELATING TO DANGEROUS INTOXICATION.

Establishes the offenses of dangerous intoxication and habitual dangerous intoxication. Provides for civil protective custody and transport for emergency examination under section 334-45, HRS, in lieu of arrest for dangerous intoxication in specified circumstances, and bars prosecution when civil protective custody is used. Requires probation with mandatory treatment for habitual dangerous intoxication, with incarceration only upon probation violation. Makes conforming amendments to chapter 334, HRS.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts focus from arrest to treatment for dangerous intoxication, mandates rehabilitation over incarceration, and avoids prosecution when civil custody is used, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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