Making Hawaiʻi's prisons safe, effective is no small task

HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The State of Hawai‘i is taking significant steps to improve its correctional system, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into the community.

KHON2.com was able sit down with Tommy Johnson who is the Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He shared insights into these efforts and the ongoing projects aimed at creating a safer and more effective system.

In Hawai‘i, the state operates both jails and prisons, unlike on the continent where counties manage jails and states oversee prisons.

Hawai‘i has five jails, known as community correctional centers, and three prisons. Director Johnson explained, “We have the Halawa Medium Security Facility, the Kulani Correctional Facility on the Big Island, and the Waiawa Correctional Facility on O‘ahu.”

A significant focus has been on the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC), which will soon house all female offenders from O‘ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC).

This change is expected to improve safety and provide better facilities for female inmates. "It’s safer to have all the female o...