NCJ Number
191270
Date Published
August 2001
Length
51 pages
Annotation
This study examined the Hawaii Paroling Authority (HPA) and its decisionmaking.
Abstract
The analysis focused on the HPA decisions in setting terms of imprisonment, the release and supervision of offenders, and the revocation of parolees’ liberty and their return to prison. That analysis gathered information from a review of Hawaii laws; observations of parole hearings; interviews of HPA members; and a review of records from 314 offenders who left prison during a 1-year period in 1997-98 and were tracked for 24 months after release. Results revealed that the HPA emphasized correctional treatment and returns to prison for parole violations. Arrests and convictions on parole were infrequent, but revocation for failure to comply with parole conditions returned more than two-fifths of parolees within 24 months. The main obstacle to the full implementation of the policy of using correctional treatment programs was that the HPA lacked sufficient treatment resources to meet the perceived demand. The HPA instead allocated prison time as a possible route to treatment. The analysis concluded that five actions would likely improve the implementation of the HPA’s policy. These included funding a modern case record information system, funding for a reporting system for program operations, providing purchase-of-service funds to HPA, increasing access to mental health services during parole, and increasing the numbers of parole officers. Figures and appended tables