Please join Hawai'i Justice Coalition for a community meeting that will focus on BAIL REFORM: Shrinking the Human and Financial Cost of Jails in Hawai'i. The event will be held on Friday, August 3, from 6-8pm at the First Unitarian Church on the Pali. Click for the Flyer A panel of distinguished speakers will educate our community about bail - its original purpose,...
The Task Force established by House Concurrent Resolution 85 and Community members (over 40!) assembled to hear Bree Derrick, Program Director, State Initiatives of the Council of State Governments (CSG), whose analysts worked with Hawai`i’s criminal justice system on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) that produced two bills - SB 2776 and HB 2515 - passed by the legislature as Act 139...
Today we bring you two items: 1) A press release from the Governor announcing Dr. Presslerʻs retirement, effective 6.1.18; and 2) A publication from OHA entitled HAUMEA that explores exemplary assets, strengths, and wisdom of Native Hawaiian females and their mana according to traditional Hawaiian culture. Governor Ige appoints Bruce Anderson as interim health director following retirement of Dr. Virginia Pressler FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 10, 2018 HONOLULU –...
Today we share a report of the Sentencing Project to the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance regarding racial disparities in the US criminal justice system. The link is included and their recommendations follow. Very interesting in light of Jeff Sessions talking to law enforcement about the “roaring success” of the war...
Remember the book that was published during the BUSH reign, What’s the Matter with Kansas? Well, recent news from Kansas still has us asking this question… What’s the matter with Kansas? Kansas is moving forward* with an expensive 20-year contract with private prison corporation CoreCivic (formerly CCA). Last week, the state signed a lease-purchase contract, a form of “public-private partnership,” with CoreCivic to finance, design, build, and maintain a...
I will be writing more about the legislative session; however, I need more time to gain some perspective. It was a difficult session right up to the last day. Today I am happy to share this really cool power point on mass incarceration from J20’s Free School Committee. Next, we have a piece from In The Public Interest on CCA/CorpseCivic’s First Quarter 2018...
Aloha, The 2018 Legislative session has ended. Please consider attending the HCR 85 TASK FORCE - ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION event WEDNESDAY, MAY 9TH – 2 pm Hawai`i Supreme Court – 2nd floor It’s important to attend these meetings, submit comments, and press for recommendations that reflect comprehensive criminal justice reforms in Hawai’i. And, here’s my short synopsis of the Legislative session. The bail reform bills and minimum standards for...
*** CAPWATCH *** REPORT FROM THE FRONT *** MAY 3, 2018 *** SINE DIE *** I AM ECSTATIC TO REPORT THAT THE KAWAILOA YOUTH & FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER PASSED 3RD READING! MAHALO NUI TO EVERYONE WHO CONTACTED A HOUSE MEMBER TO SUPPORT THE BILL. WE DID IT! MAHALO. MAHALO. MAHALO. Thursday, May 3rd was sine die for the 2018 Legislature. A legislative body adjourns sine die when it...
*** CAPWATCH REPORT FROM THE FRONT *** FINAL READING IN HOUSE & SENATE TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2018 I was in both the Senate and the House today. In the Senate, all 10 CAP bills passed on the “Consent” calendar, which means the bills were discussed in caucus and everyone agreed. In the House, 7 CAP bills were on the “Consent” calendar and 3 were...
CAPWATCH CONFERENCE UPDATE … APRIL 23, 2018 … CAPWATCH CONFERENCE UPDATE Mahalo nui to everyone who has contacted the conference committee members on SB 2047 – the Audit of the Department of Public Safety. SB 2047 HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25TH AT 10 IN ROOM 016. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/hearingnotices/CONF_PSM_04-25-18_.HTM PLEASE DON’T STOP. Right now if we can get the House members (Gates and Thielen)...