NCJ Number
92724
Date Published
1983
Length
94 pages
Annotation
Establishing a separate department of corrections in Hawaii would be inappropriate at this time due to several practical considerations.
Abstract
Although reorganization of correctional systems is very common in the United States, no ideal structural model exists for correctional organizations. The 33 States which have separate departments of corrections vary as to the correctional components included. Each State must consider many factors, such as the evolution of corrections in the State, the current political climate, the availability of funding, and the compatibility of the correctional system's goals with the rest of the criminal justice system. In Hawaii, most correctional administrators agree that establishing a separate department of corrections would be worthwhile only if the pretrial, presentence, intake, custodial care, probation supervision, and parole supervision functions were consolidated within the department as line divisions, with only the parole determination function under autonomous agency. However, correctional agencies have independent attitudes and would vigorously oppose this type of department. In addition, creating a new department would be initially expensive due to the need for staff services offices, space, equipment, and supplies. Moreover, creating a separate department will not resolve the current problems of coordination and communication among the various system components. The State needs first to rearticulate its correctional policy and to develop new master and functional plans. Additional recommendations, footnotes, and appendixes presenting information on other States' systems and related materials are included.