HI HCR68

Encourages the Department of Public Safety to continue and expand structured, community-based work furlough programs for formerly incarcerated female inmates transitioning back into society.

Cites Ka Hale Ho ala Hou No Na Wahine as the only existing community-based work furlough program in the State, with an 82.4% success rate of participants not being reincarcerated for at least two years after release.

Notes that the majority of female offenders commit nonviolent crimes, and that community-based programs with trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive frameworks are more effective than in-prison treatment for substance abuse recovery.

Highlights that Native Hawaiian women comprise over 44% of the State's incarcerated female population with disproportionately higher incarceration rates than Native Hawaiian men.

Reports that as of November 3, 2014, there were 665 women under the care and custody of the Department of Public Safety, with incarceration costing $134 per day per inmate.