The Community Alliance on Prisons organized a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday to bring criminal justice reform issues to the attention of the Legislature.

The “Day of Empathy for Imprisoned Persons and Their Families” event sought to raise awareness on rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health and racial profiling, among other issues. Among those present were members of the American Civil Liberties Union, Young Progressives Demanding Action and IMUA Alliance. Fliers were distributed by the Hawaii Innocence Project reading, “End Private Prisons, “End Mass Incarceration” and “Oppose House Bill 462.”

“Research shows treatment programs reduce recidivism at a lower cost than prison,” said Kaimi Nicholson, a member of the Community Justice Coalition. “There is no rational reason to incarcerate people when it is making more trauma instead of healing. I’m passionate about this because I’ve been a therapist for 30 years, and I know people can heal, but they need support.”

Will Caron, secretary of Young Progressives, called prison reform a complicated issue, “but one thing has become abundantly clear after two decades of study: Our prison-industrial system does more harm than it does good, and perpetuates the existence of a permanent underclass in America. We can and must do better.”

Former prison inmate De Mont Conner of Hoomana Pono LLC said it is financially unsustainable to continue building prisons, especially as the state struggles to complete the rail project.

Mandy Finlay, advocacy coordinator for the ACLU of Hawaii, highlighted an initiative that has been successful in cities like Seattle. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (LEAD) aims to divert homeless individuals from incarceration and into housing and other services. “It’s giving people a chance so they’re not unnecessarily entangled in the criminal justice system,” Finlay said.

The Community Justice Coalition supports a variety of Senate and House bills on reintegration, humane treatment and the overall reduction of incarceration.

— Taylor Polson, tpolson@staradvertiser.com

MAUI

Renovation, repair work coming to Lahainaluna

Construction upgrades and repairs at Lahainaluna High School are expected to get underway in May and should be completed by August, state Rep. Angus McKelvey said.

McKelvey (D, West Maui-Maaleaea-North Kihei) said in a news release Wednesday that a contract for the work was awarded to Castaway Construction and Restoration LLC.

“Because students will need to use the facilities as instruction resumes in the fall, August is a hard date of completion for essential facilities. Other portions of the larger project will continue during the school year,” McKelvey said in the announcement.

The work includes renovating restrooms and showers, some demolition, plumbing and electrical work.

“This project will provide Lahainaluna High School with necessary repairs and renovations our students and community deserve,” McKelvey said. “Education is an investment in our future, and keeping our school facilities up to date is part of that investment. Now that the funds and contracts are in place, the upgrades and necessary construction work is ready to commence.”

He said the Department of Education awarded the $575,000 contract Tuesday.

“Providing our schools with state of the art facilities is no longer simply prudent, it is a necessity. The construction work at Lahainaluna High School reinforces our commitment to the success of future generations,” he said.