A new vision for the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) has emerged following the completion of a proof-of-concept study by the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center (UHCDC). The study, titled "Breaking Cycles: Alternative Models for Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice on Oʻahu," is a 268-page report created through extensive community engagement. It recommends systemic reforms to the incarceration and rehabilitation approach on Oʻahu, according to a news release from the Office of the Governor.
The UHCDC study proposes a transformative vision for the new jail, consulting with community organizations, correctional stakeholders, and facilities across Arizona, California, and Florida. The focus was on more than just a new building, aiming to include rehabilitative programs and restorative justice principles. As per the same release, the report states, "outlines aspirations and visions that are crucial for inspiring and enabling transformation. We present this work as a contribution to that change, with gratitude, hope, and a firm belief that such transformation is not only possible but essential to our collective well-being," which aligns with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR)’s goals for the facility, such as incorporating multipurpose rooms and treatment spaces to support inmate rehabilitation.
The proposed site for the new OCCC is at the former animal quarantine station in Hālawa and will include features such as natural light, outdoor spaces, and murals to create a rehabilitative environment.
UHCDC conducted extensive outreach over two years, including symposia, talk-story sessions, workshops, neighborhood board meetings, and interactions with inmates at Halawa Correctional Facility to ensure diverse community input. The Department Director Tommy Johnson, said "We express our sincere gratitude to UHCDC for its excellent work on this report. The report will be an effective tool to help DCR complete the planning and design for the new OCCC, develop request for proposals and select a contractor to design the proposed new jail," in a statement obtained by the Office of the Governor. Cathi Ho Schar, UHCDC director, also expressed gratitude for the collaboration on the report.
