Posted on: Tuesday, November 9, 2004

EDITORIAL
Prison population cause for concern

The last half of 2003 saw a disturbing surge in the growth rate of Hawai'i's prison population. While the reason for that isn't yet clear, it's likely related to a continuing trend toward tougher sentencing laws, longer minimum sentences issued by the state Paroling Authority and more stringent administration of conditions of probation and parole.

Through the first half of last year, the annual growth rate in the state's prison and jail population was just 1.7 percent, a little less than the national average. But by year's end, it was 7.5 percent, the fifth highest rate of increase in the nation.

In 2003, the state inmate population grew from 5,423 at the beginning of the year to 5,828 at the end of the year.

Even more growth is expected because of a law signed in May of this year imposing tougher penalties for repeat property crime offenders.

But under present conditions, the state cannot sustain this level of growth in the prison population.

It already houses more than 1,500 overflow prisoners at Mainland facilities and another 100 at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, and its own facilities are overcrowded.

Those who support expanding prison capacity say the higher number of prisoners correlates with lower crime rates, but this is a simplistic view, considering prisoners are inside for only 30 months on average.

Studies show that inmates are likely to be released angry and addicted, returning to broken families and dismal employment prospects. Recidivism rates are high. And treatment programs are available to just 14 of every 100 inmates who need them.

The latest numbers again underscore the need for the state to try alternative sentencing and more pervasive drug treatment before it diverts money from other vital programs to a losing battle with a growing criminal class.