HI HR109

Requests the Department of Public Safety to return Hawaii prisoners held in mainland correctional facilities to Hawaii.

Requests the Department of Public Safety to construct a new correctional facility at Panaewa near Hilo on the Big Island.

Directs the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaii Center on the Family to collaborate with the Department of Public Safety in planning the return of inmates and construction of the new facility.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2012 Regular Session convening on progress toward returning Hawaii inmates from the Mainland and constructing the new correctional facility.

Notes that Native Hawaiians comprise 24 percent of Hawaii's population but 39 percent of the incarcerated population, with disproportionately longer sentences and higher representation in mainland facilities.