Recommendations - Jail Committee
The local Resource Committee on the Sheriff's office, as a result of study of the Honolulu jail, feels that League action should be taken in two directions, (1) public information and education, and (2) legislation. At
the present time the Committee feels ready to recommend action only on public information and education. Legislative action will necessarily await completion of the present study.
In regard to public information and education, the Jail Committee feels the following are important concerns:
There is confusion in the minds of the public as to the distinction between "prison" and "jail." The League should make constant efforts to clarify this.
The community has a right to expect maximum security in the jail. The present jail does not afford such security. Maximum security is not possible with the present jail building and lay-out. Security also involves adequate guards for prisoners. The present jail has inadequate guard personnel.
Segregation is not only desirable but necessary for the successful operation of a jail. Minimum requirements demand at least (a) segregation of juveniles from adults, and (b) segregation of convicted prisoners from those awaiting trial. The present jail in Honolulu has no facilities for such segregation. The only segregation at the jail now is between men and women.
The community a right to expect a prisoner to return to the community from the jail a bettor adjusted individual than when he was committed. This can only be effected through intelligently planned rehabilitation within the jail. Essential services in rehabilitation in Honolulu jail seem to be (a) improved cell design, including lighting, bedding, and sanitation, (b) adequate medical and psychiatric services, (c) religious instruction and worship, (d) initiation of appropriate work programs such as crafts, small industry, (e) a recreational program, including physical activity, and (f) social case records to guide individual rehabilitation planning.
The Honolulu jail at present has no rehabilitation program. Most of the services cited above cannot be developed in the present jail plant.
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February 1954
April 1954