The state Department of Public Safety has broken ground on a $200,000 building planned for Hale Nani that will be used to help ease the transition of prison inmates back into society on the Big Island.

Hale Nani is technically part of the Hawai'i Community Correctional Center in Hilo but is located in Pana'ewa several miles away from HCCC. About 35 people attended the groundbreaking on Jan. 23.

The building will be used for job training and pre-employment training for inmates to help them with tasks such as filling out job applications and dressing properly for job interviews.

Parenting classes, courses on relationship building and instruction on household budgeting will also be offered.