HI HB2454

Establishes a three-year pilot project within the Department of Public Safety to employ up to five former inmates in the Hawaii Correctional Industries program.

Former inmate employees shall receive full-time equivalent employment, fair wages comparable to private sector work, career advancement opportunities, and job skills training.

Pilot project must be self-funded by the Hawaii Correctional Industries program and maintain safety for former inmates, staff, and the community.

Department of Public Safety shall conduct annual evaluations assessing wage fairness, recidivism rates, criminal justice system contact, and alignment with correctional industries program purposes, with findings reported to the legislature by January 20 in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Pilot project terminates on July 1, 2021.