HI HCR208

Requests the Department of Public Safety and Department of Accounting and General Services to study the feasibility of establishing a public-private partnership for constructing and operating prisons in Hawaii, with the goal of returning mainland inmates and closing inefficient aging facilities.

Requires the departments to identify specific locations for new prisons and hold at least one public hearing in each affected community before designating any site.

Directs the departments to produce a detailed report comparing estimated costs (construction, annual debt service, and annual operating costs) for a publicly financed prison versus a public-private partnership project.

Mandates submission of findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2012 Regular Session convenes.

Cites Hawaii's history of federal court supervision of the prison system (1985-1999) due to overcrowding and inadequacy, insufficient current capacity, aging facilities, and potential job creation and family proximity benefits as justification for the study.