HI SCR108

Urges the judiciary in judicial circuits with 500,000+ residents to assign one judge and one backup judge to handle all HOPE (Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement) cases, returning to the original 2004-2020 implementation model.

Requests judges and the Adult Client Services Branch to follow HOPE sanctions guidelines to ensure consistency and timely case hearings, providing swift and predictable immediate sanctions for probation violations.

Cites 2007-2008 evaluations showing HOPE participants were 55% less likely to be arrested for new crimes, 72% less likely to test positive for drugs, and 61% less likely to skip probation appointments compared to regular probation offenders.

Notes that women in HOPE failed probation and were sent to prison 50% less often than women in regular probation, and Native Hawaiian women 42% less often, despite spending no more jail time overall.

Directs that a certified copy be transmitted to the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.