The governor released more than $1.4 million to state prison authorities so they can begin planning a replacement facility for the aging and crowded O'ahu Community Correctional Center in Kalihi.

Gov. Linda Lingle also released another $1 million to finance the planning of substance abuse treatment facilities for inmates — the first state-run facility of its kind in Hawai'i.

The community correctional center, which is the largest in the state, is "deteriorating and inadequate," the governor said. It opened in 1975.

The money will pay for a project development report, a site selection study, an environmental impact statement and permits.

Officials with the state Department of Public Safety estimate it would cost $180 million to replace OCCC. They project a population of 2,160 inmates by 2013.

Currently, the prison houses 1,172 inmates. It was designed for 628 beds.

"The planning phase is a critical first step in addressing the shortage of correctional space for Hawai'i's inmate population and will help ensure the continued safety of the public," Lingle said.

The facility on Dillingham Boulevard houses pretrial detainees and provides help to sentenced felons reintegrating into society.

Public safety officials hope to develop a treatment-based correctional program to assess the delivery of all treatment and other services for inmates, from the point of entry to release.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.