HI HB2231

Requires the Department of Public Safety to establish a community placement program for female offenders transitioning from incarceration to the community, such as the TJ Mahoney & Associates Ka Hale Ho'ala Hou No Na Wahine program.

Program shall provide support services and assistance to help female offenders successfully reintegrate into the community with structure, monitoring, and accountability.

Funding for the program must come from cost savings realized by the Department of Public Safety in fiscal year 2012-2013 by transitioning qualified female offenders from incarceration to community placement programs, without requiring additional appropriations.

Legislature finds that female offenders have distinct pathways to incarceration often involving trauma and substance abuse, and that community-based reintegration programs are more effective than incarceration alone for breaking cycles of addiction and recidivism.

Effective date is July 1, 2012.