State plans to relocate prison off Kalihi land

Gov. David Ige’s administration hopes to fast-track relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center, the state’s largest prison, as public safety officials continue to grapple with perpetual overcrowding and deteriorating conditions.

The administration is “feverishly” working on a bill that will expedite construction of a new facility next to the existing Ha­lawa Correctional Facility, Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda told lawmakers at a budget briefing Tuesday.

He said more details about the plan are expected to be divulged during Ige’s State of the State address Jan. 25. In the meantime he declined to discuss anticipated costs or a relocation timeline.

The idea of moving the facility has been floated for years and gained traction amid plans to run Oahu’s elevated rail line past the OCCC site in Kalihi, increasing the value of the state-owned land and potential development opportunities.

The assistance of the Legislature, “in combination with the choo-choo train coming through Kalihi, has really provided a tidal wave for us to ride,” Espinda told lawmakers. “I hope we don’t fall down and try to catch it.”

In April Ige released $5 million in state funds for planning and to solicit proposals to relocate the prison. Lawmakers had appropriated the funds under Gov. Neil Abercrombie, but the money was never released.

State Rep. Romy Cachola (D, Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport) applauded the plans, telling Espinda that he’s wanted to see OCCC moved since the days of Gov. John Waihee’s administration. “Up until now I’m still dreaming of moving it out,” he said.

OCCC was designed to hold 628 inmates but held nearly double that during the last week of December, according to figures provided by the state Department of Public Safety. The facility has been modified to hold 954 beds, still not enough to accommodate the 1,155 inmates who were housed there at the end of last month.

With some inmates sleeping on the floor of Hawaii jails, Espinda also stressed the need for additional funding for the neighbor island facilities, where he said overcrowding is even worse.

The Maui Community Correctional Center was designed for 209 beds but last month held 463 inmates, mirroring conditions at the Kauai Community Correctional Center and Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Espinda is seeking $45 million to increase bed space at the neighbor island jails.

“It’s a short-term attempt to address overcrowding,” he said.

Espinda was blunt about the severity of the problem, telling lawmakers that a failure to address the problem could result in federal intervention.

“The Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii community correctional centers are grossly overcrowded,” he told lawmakers. “Conditions created by overcrowding place the citizens and elected officials of Hawaii under a cloud of liability that could threaten continued autonomous control and supervision of the jails throughout the state.”