HI HR178

Urges the Governor to begin discussions and plans to establish public-private partnerships for building prisons and correctional facilities in Hawaii.

Cites Hawaii's current practice of spending over $50,000,000 annually to incarcerate inmates on the mainland due to prison overcrowding.

Identifies benefits of in-state facilities including creation of local construction and public safety jobs, improved family support for inmate rehabilitation, and return of economic spending to Hawaii.

Proposes public-private partnership model where private companies finance and construct facilities with the State making monthly payments over a set period, with ownership reverting to the State upon completion.

Notes that partnerships could utilize union workers and union wages, and take advantage of favorable bidding conditions and low bond interest rates.