The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 12 advanced two measures aimed at strengthening oversight of Hawaii’s correctional system and improving prison reentry services. Lawmakers moved HB1002, which adjusts the oversight coordinator’s term and supervisory review, and HB677, which directs the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assist inmates in obtaining civil identification, birth certificates and Social Security cards as soon as practicable.

Proponents told the committee both measures respond to persistent operational gaps. “Unannounced visits or inspections are fine with us because whatever found will help us better the system,” Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson told the committee in support of giving the oversight coordinator access to facilities. Mark Patterson, chair of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, said the commission had gone nearly three years without staff or a coordinator after it was established in 2019, and urged a longer coordinator term to sustain reform work. Kristen Johnson, the commission’s oversight coordinator, echoed that reentry and oversight efforts require continuity.

Why it matters: Supporters said longer coordinator terms and the commission’s ability to review retention decisions would help sustain reform efforts, while faster access to identification documents addresses a known reentry barrier. As McKenna Woodward of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs put it in testimony supporting HB677, timely IDs help released people secure housing and employment; the office noted Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in the state’s correctional population.

Supporting details and debate: HB1002, as considered, extends the coordinator’s term and clarifies that the coordinator may inspect correctional facilities without notice; it also authorizes the commission to review the coordinator’s performance and submit retention recommendations to the governor. Testimony came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, ACLU Hawaii and individual taxpayers who backed a longer initial term (several testifiers argued for terms longer than the version the committee considered).

On HB677, Christie Yokoyama, acting program lead for the department’s reentry office, said DCR supports the measure and is working with counties and the DMV to deploy machines and replace equipment in facilities. The bill also requires DCR to initiate obtaining ID documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough or community placement programs. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs highlighted disparities in incarceration and urged support so released people can secure housing and travel home when incarcerated out of state.

Committee action and next steps: The committee moved both measures forward at the Feb. 12 meeting. HB1002 was advanced as HD1; HB677 was advanced as presented. Both bills will continue to the Finance Committee for consideration of appropriations and further amendment.

Ending note: Supporters framed the two bills as complementary: stronger, more durable oversight for system reform and practical steps to reduce recidivism by removing administrative barriers to reentry.