REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO INCREMENTALLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INMATES INCARCERATED IN PRIVATE, OUT-OF-STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 4 co-sponsors

HCR 153 asks Hawaii's DCR to reduce inmates in private, out-of-state prisons with an incremental plan, report progress to the Legislature 2027-2030, and repatriate where possible.

Report and Resolution Adopted. Transmitted to House.

#inmates #out-of-statecorrectionalfacilities #private #reduction

Purpose

HCR 153 is a concurrent resolution requesting that the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) "incrementally and systematically" reduce the number of State inmates housed in private, for‑profit, out‑of‑state correctional facilities. The resolution reflects concerns about the long‑standing practice (authorized in 1994 by Act 208) of transferring inmates to mainland private prisons and the adverse effects of incarcerating people far from family and community supports.

Key provisions

Requests that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation:

Develop and implement an incremental, systematic plan to reduce the number of Hawaii inmates incarcerated in private, out‑of‑state correctional facilities.
Submit progress reports to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the regular legislative sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Directs that certified copies of the concurrent resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Who is affected

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: asks DCR to change operational use of private, out‑of‑state beds and to report progress.

Incarcerated individuals and their families: potential to be repatriated to in‑state facilities, improving proximity to support networks.

Private, for‑profit correctional contractors and host jurisdictions on the mainland: potential reduction in demand for contracted beds.

State budget and local corrections system: possible changes in expenditures and facility/capacity planning to accommodate repatriated inmates or alternatives to incarceration.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: May 19, 2025.

Committee consideration: referred to House and Senate public safety committees, recommended and reported favorably.

Legislative actions: adopted by both chambers (House and Senate) in late May 2025; enrolled and transmitted to the Governor.

Signed by the Governor: June 20, 2025.

Reporting deadlines to Legislature: 20 days before each regular session in 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Legal effect and limitations

HCR 153 is a concurrent resolution — it expresses legislative intent and requests action by DCR but does not create binding law, appropriate funds, or directly terminate existing contracts. Implementation depends on DCR administrative action and available resources.

The resolution references Act 208 (1994), noting the Legislature’s original intent to avoid transferring individuals with strong community ties, and urges policy change consistent with that intent.

Potential implications

If acted on, DCR would need to plan for capacity adjustments (in‑state beds, community supervision, alternatives to incarceration) and potentially negotiate contract changes or early terminations with private vendors. Budgetary impacts could include short‑term costs for repatriation or facility expansion and longer‑term savings or reallocation depending on implementation choices. Social benefits cited in the resolution include improved family contact and reentry outcomes.

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