Requesting The Federal Government To Provide Supplemental Funding To Increase Compensation For Adult Corrections Officers Employed By The State Of Hawaii's Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation.
Summary
SR139 is a Senate resolution requesting that the federal government provide supplemental funding to increase compensation for adult corrections officers employed by the State of Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The resolution frames the request as a response to persistent staffing shortages, high vacancy rates, mandatory overtime, workplace violence, and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified officers in a high-cost state.
The resolution specifically asks federal officials to support higher compensation through base pay adjustments, differential pay, and other retention-focused mechanisms. It also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to the President, congressional leadership, and Hawaii’s congressional delegation, signaling that the measure is primarily an advocacy request rather than a change to state law.
Impact
SR139 does not amend Hawaii statutes or create a new state program; instead, it is a nonbinding legislative request to the federal government. Its practical impact would be to encourage federal supplemental appropriations or grant support for adult corrections officer compensation, with the goal of improving recruitment, retention, and staffing stability in Hawaii’s correctional facilities. The resolution could affect the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, correctional officers, incarcerated individuals, and the broader public safety system if it leads to additional funding.
Sentiment
The available discussion and vote history indicate clear support for the resolution. It passed the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee unanimously, 5-0, and there is no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The bill’s findings present a strong consensus that staffing shortages in corrections are serious and that compensation is a key part of the solution.
Contention
The main policy issue underlying the resolution is how to address chronic understaffing in correctional facilities. Supporters emphasize that low pay, high turnover, and dangerous working conditions have made recruitment and retention difficult, and that federal assistance would reduce pressure on state taxpayers. Any potential contention is likely to center on whether federal funding should be used for state employee compensation, how such funding would be structured, and whether pay increases alone would adequately solve the staffing crisis without broader workforce reforms.
Same As
Requesting The Federal Government To Provide Supplemental Funding To Increase Compensation For Adult Corrections Officers Employed By The State Of Hawaii's Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Incrementally And Systematically Reduce The Number Of Inmates Incarcerated In Private, Out-of-state Correctional Facilities.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Incrementally And Systematically Reduce The Number Of Inmates Incarcerated In Private, Out-of-state Correctional Facilities.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Incrementally And Systematically Reduce The Number Of Inmates Incarcerated In Private, Out-of-state Correctional Facilities.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Incrementally And Systematically Reduce The Number Of Inmates Incarcerated In Private, Out-of-state Correctional Facilities.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Collaborate With The Department Of Transportation To Use Inmate Work Furlough Programs For State Roadway And Highway Maintenance.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Make Available To Correctional Facility Staff Members Throughout The State Clinical Counseling Services That Are Separate And Distinct From The Existing Mental Health Resources Available To Inmates.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Make Available To Correctional Facility Staff Members Throughout The State Clinical Counseling Services That Are Separate And Distinct From The Existing Mental Health Resources Available To Inmates.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Comprehensively Reevaluate Its Policies Regarding In-person Contact Visitation At Correctional Facilities Throughout The State To Best Support Incarcerated Persons In Staying Connected With Loved Ones Who Can Help Them On Their Journey Of Rehabilitation.
Requesting The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation To Collaborate With The Department Of Transportation To Use Inmate Work Furlough Programs For State Roadway And Highway Maintenance.
Requesting The Auditor To Perform A Comprehensive Performance, Management, And Financial Audit Of The Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation And Department Of Accounting And General Services Regarding Spending Related To The Planning, Design, Financing, Construction, And Maintenance Of A New Jail To Replace The Oahu Community Correctional Center.