The Women's Community Correctional Center in Hawaii has officially expanded, with a dedication ceremony held on September 25, bringing together government officials, community leaders, and project contributors. The $63 million expansion consists of three new buildings intended to house administration, housing and intake/visitation, marking the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's largest capital improvement project. Additionally, the facility celebrated the renovation of Ho‘okipa Cottage, now boasting a multi-purpose building and upgraded accommodations for 58 inmates on work furlough, as reported by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's News Release.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, speaking at the event, emphasized community support, saying, "It takes a commitment from the individuals here and it to also take a commitment from the outside community, the community as a whole, to support these women who have gone through many troubles in their lives." This sentiment is echoed by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson who spoke on the intent behind the renovations, "our sincere efforts to provide a positive rehabilitative environment, hope and return dignity to the women housed here while simultaneously improving the working conditions of our staff," he told the gathering, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's News Release.
The expansion aims to ease crowding at the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center by creating additional bed capacity with 176 beds in the new Housing building and addressing the needs of a hybrid prison and jail facility exclusive to female inmates on Oʻahu. Women's Community Correctional Center's approach shuns traditional notions of incarceration by focusing on transformation and rehabilitation, including education, vocational training, mental health support, and preparation for reentry into society. Women's Community Correctional Center will prepare to transfer about 120 inmates from the OCCC to the expanded facility, a process estimated to last up to eight weeks. As of September 16, Women's Community Correctional Center's inmate population was nearly 200.
As part of the ceremony, inmates were given a chance to engage hands-on in media production, documenting the event in collaboration with ‘Ōlelo Community Media. And in a display of cultural reverence, Kahu Pohālelo Loko‘olu Quintero and ‘Ihilani Chu from the Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei conducted a blessing, while inmates of Halau Hulu Kamaluokukui, the facility's hula halau, performed. This rare blend of celebration and training underscored Women's Community Correctional Center's commitment to bettering the lives of inmates, as Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta stated, “Our aim is not merely to house individuals but to offer them an opportunity for transformation,” reported by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's News Release.
