Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1252: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2721 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 151).

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on June 25, 2026, implements recommendations from an advisory committee to revise the Hawaii Penal Code. The legislation primarily affects the state's criminal justice system by updating how crimes are classified and establishing specific time limits for filing prosecutions. Key changes include defining felonies based on potential prison sentences exceeding one year and setting new statutes of limitations, such as a ten-year window for manslaughter cases and a three-year window for most other felonies. These adjustments aim to ensure consistency, proportionality, and alignment with evidence-based strategies in sentencing and legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill implements advisory committee recommendations to revise the Penal Code and update prosecution time limits, indicating a reform-oriented approach to criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

GM 1151: Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2289 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 051).

This bill removes the $600,000 annual spending limit on the special fund that supports Hawaii's automated victim information and notification system. The change directly affects the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, allowing the agency to use available funds to cover rising costs for salaries, contracts, and operational expenses without a statutory cap. By repealing the expenditure ceiling, the legislation ensures the system can continue providing real-time updates to crime victims regarding offender custody changes and parole hearings. The special fund itself is financed by surcharges on inmate commissary purchases and revenues from inmate telephone services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill removes a spending cap to allow essential funding for victim notification system operations and salaries.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes spending limits on a victim notification system, enhancing support for crime victims within the criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Corrections Probation & Parole

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1128: Informing the Legislature that on May 22, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1518 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 028).

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Human Services to implement a new process that allows people currently in prison or jail to apply for food assistance before they are released. The state is required to work with correctional facilities to help these individuals complete applications so that benefits can start immediately upon their return to the community. Additionally, the law removes the existing restriction that barred people convicted of drug-related felonies from receiving these benefits unless they had completed a treatment program. By eliminating this barrier and establishing a pre-release application system, the bill aims to improve food security for formerly incarcerated individuals without changing any other aspects of the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes barriers to food assistance for incarcerated individuals, aiding reentry and reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SCR 147: REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the federal government to provide additional funding to help Hawaii increase pay for adult corrections officers in the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill addresses ongoing staffing shortages and high turnover by requesting federal financial support for competitive compensation, including base pay adjustments and retention incentives. It does not directly change state laws or budgets but serves as a formal request to federal officials to assist with workforce stabilization. The resolution aims to reduce vacancies and improve safety conditions without placing the full financial burden on state taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks federal funding to improve compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and retention issues critical to effective criminal justice operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks federal funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and improving worker wages and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 60: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE FINDINGS OF THE PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY TITLED BREAKING CYCLES: ALTERNATIVE MODELS OF REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ON OʻAHU.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide an update on the findings of a 2022 proof-of-concept study titled Breaking Cycles, which explored alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models for the Oahu Community Correctional Center. The bill asks the department to report on how the study's recommendations have been incorporated into plans for a new correctional facility and to include feedback from incarcerated individuals, staff, families, and community stakeholders. The Department must submit this report to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session begins, with any proposed legislation included in the submission. This measure focuses on oversight and information gathering rather than implementing specific policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requests update on restorative justice and rehabilitation models, indicating support for criminal justice reform and improved correctional approaches.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 88: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO ESTABLISH A COORDINATED DATA ENTRY SYSTEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS TO TRACK THE STATUS OF DETAINEES INCARCERATED IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a shared data system that allows county police departments and prosecutors to track the status of detainees held in state correctional facilities. The bill aims to address current inconsistencies in how different agencies record and report information about detainees, which can hinder effective oversight and access to rehabilitative programs. If implemented, the system would require DCR to report on its progress, estimated costs, and the number of participating agencies to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution serves as a formal request rather than a law, directing the department to study the feasibility of establishing the coordinated data entry system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight and data transparency in corrections, improving accountability and access to rehabilitative programs for incarcerated individuals.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill proposes establishing a coordinated data entry system to improve information sharing and tracking between agencies, advancing technological infrastructure for corrections and law enforcement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 83: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO ESTABLISH A COORDINATED DATA ENTRY SYSTEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS TO TRACK THE STATUS OF DETAINEES INCARCERATED IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a unified data entry system that connects with county police departments and prosecutors to track detainee information. The bill aims to address current inconsistencies between state and local criminal justice data by establishing a coordinated approach similar to systems already used in housing and healthcare sectors. DCR is asked to report on the system's implementation status, estimated costs, and participation levels within 20 days before the 2027 legislative session. Certified copies of this resolution will be sent to correctional officials, county police chiefs, and prosecuting attorneys across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes criminal justice reform by improving data coordination between agencies, enhancing transparency and accountability in detainee tracking systems.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates creation of coordinated data entry system to improve tracking and data sharing between agencies, advancing technology implementation in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 136: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO RESTORE THE PRIOR FORMAT, ORGANIZATION, AND SUBSTANTIVE COMPLETENESS OF THE COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

This Senate resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. Department of State to restore the previous format and content of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The bill directly affects the State Department and international observers who rely on these reports to monitor human rights conditions globally. It calls for the inclusion of previously covered topics such as prison conditions, corruption, restrictions on speech and assembly, and other abuses that were reportedly reduced in recent versions. The resolution emphasizes that comprehensive reporting is essential for accountability and transparency in documenting human rights violations worldwide.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to restore comprehensive human rights reporting including prison conditions and corruption, enhancing accountability and oversight in criminal justice systems.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 139: REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

This Senate Resolution requests that the federal government provide supplemental funding to increase pay for adult corrections officers working for Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill aims to address severe staffing shortages and high turnover rates by using federal money to improve compensation, including base pay and retention incentives. It does not directly change state law or spending but serves as a formal appeal to federal officials for financial assistance to support public safety workforce stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks federal supplemental funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages through financial assistance.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks federal funding to improve compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and retention issues in the criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks federal funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, directly supporting worker wages and addressing staffing shortages through improved pay.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 84: REQUESTING THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ON OʻAHU.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to form an advisory committee to develop recommendations for implementing alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models at a new jail on Oʻahu. The proposed committee would include representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, community organizations, Native Hawaiian health providers, and local stakeholders to guide the planning of the new facility. The resolution directs the committee to incorporate findings from a 2022-2024 study that emphasizes culturally grounded, trauma-informed approaches rooted in Native Hawaiian practices. The advisory committee is specifically asked to consider how the new jail can integrate traditional cultural elements, community engagement, and restorative justice principles in its design and operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes restorative justice and rehabilitation models in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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