Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - DCR

07/26/2024

Waiawa Correctional Facility Resource Day prepares inmates for reentry into community

HONOLULU — The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) and Transforming Lives hosted a Resource Day event at the facility today, July 25, 2024, to help inmates prepare for successful reentry into the community.

Approximately 35 vendors that included job readiness programs, education, employment/vocational training programs, housing assistance, peer support, substance abuse treatment, health care, children and family programs and more, participated in Resource Day to provide information and referral services to approximately 180 inmates.

The inmates are within two years of reentering the community.
Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) said, “Initiatives such as today’s Resource Day provide inmates an opportunity to connect with various community agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide a variety of services, to help with a smooth transition back into the community.”

Chaplain Barbara Gatewood of Transforming Lives said, “An event such as this helps men prepare for and succeed in their transitioning process.”

Transforming Lives is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and community groups to provide resources for inmates who are reentering the community.

07/23/2024

Visit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's (DCR) website, complete a temporary application at https://dcr.hawaii.gov/temporary-hire-application/ and bring it to the Hawai'i Career Expo on July 31, 2024 for an on-the-spot interview!

07/21/2024

Kids’ Day at Women’s Community Correctional Center to support children of incarcerated mothers

HONOLULU — Inmate Shyrae Naihe greeted her 14-year-old daughter with a long embrace as soon as the teenager and other children and youth entered the courtyard of the Maunawili Cottage at the Women’s Community Correctional Center’s (WCCC) to spend quality time with their mothers.

WCCC and Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers co-hosted a Kids’ Day “Christmas in July” event at the facility Saturday, July 20, 2024 for 12 incarcerated mothers and 14 children.

The courtyard was decorated with red and green balloons and streamers for the holiday-themed event where 14 volunteers facilitated games such as water ballon toss and doughnuts on a string.

For three-and-a-half hours, mothers spent quality time bonding with their keiki. They also enjoyed a barbecue lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, shave ice, chips and cupcakes.

Under an open canopy tent, mothers and volunteers helped children pick toys such as Legos, Play Doh, Squishmallows and many more donated by community organizations

Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said, “Events such as Kids’ Day are critical to maintaining the bonds between mothers and their children and also assists with successful reunification.”

WCCC Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta echoed Director Johnson’s sentiment.

“Events like this are so important. It’s really important that the ladies in our custody continue to have a family connectedness with their children and with their other family members,” Guillonta said.

The caregivers that accompanied the children to Saturday’s event are primarily family members of the incarcerated mothers.

Executive Director Momi Akana of Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers said, “Keeping families engaged and relationships strong are the best way to help ensure that the parent won’t reoffend.”

The event was donated by Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers and community partners

07/19/2024

Go to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) website, complete a temporary application at https://dcr.hawaii.gov/temporary-hire-application/ and bring it to the Hawai'i Career Expo on July 31, 2024 for an on-the-spot interview.

07/16/2024

07/15/2024

Watch Now! Sgt. Nani Cossey of the Halawa Correctional Facility believe everyone deserves a second chance and shares the joy of helping inmates transform their lives.

Apply now to start your career as an Adult Corrections Officer.

07/11/2024

07/10/2024

The State of Hawai'i is on O'ahu. Please visit jobs.hawaii.gov for more information on these positions and to apply!

Hawaii State Department of Health
Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - DCR
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

07/09/2024

The State of Hawai'i is on O'ahu! Please visit jobs.hawaii.gov for more information on these positions and to apply!

Hawaii State Department of Health
Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - DCR
State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General
Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
University of Hawaii at Manoa

06/29/2024

Watch Now! Carl Dunaway, an Adult Corrections Officer at the Hālawa Correctional Facility for more than 30 years, shares his personal journey, experiences, and the power of positive mentors.

Apply now to start your career as an Adult Corrections Officer.

This is "DCR - Carl Dunaway" by NMG Network on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/28/2024

This is "DCR - Carl Dunaway" by NMG Network on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/27/2024

The State of Hawaiʻi is holding a recruitment event at Windward Community College on Saturday, July 27. Please see link for details and to register your interest in participating!
https://forms.gle/aCwAc3AAPufyRj8x5

Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - DCR
Hawaii State Department of Health

06/24/2024

Keiki Day at Waiawa Correctional Facility to support children of incarcerated fathers

HONOLULU — On a cool, breezy morning, inmate Samuel Hufanga stood on a grassy recreation field at the Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) where his seven-year-old son stepped out of a white shuttle van, sprinted toward him and jumped into Hufanga’s arms.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) and Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers co-hosted Keiki Day at WCF Sunday, June 23, 2024, for 15 incarcerated fathers and 26 children to celebrate Father’s Day.

This is the first time WCF hosted Keiki Day since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 1989, the facility hosted the event so fathers can spend time bonding with their children. The inmates who participated in Sunday’s event are within two years of being released from the facility.

Executive Director Momi Akana of Keiki O Ka ‘Āina said events like Keiki Day play a critical role in maintaining the bonds between incarcerated fathers and their children. “It helps dads to remain connected so when they go home, they’re not going to want to come back. They’re going to want to stay connected with their families.”

For three hours, fathers spent precious time with their children, embracing them, talking with one another and playing games.

Family strengthening and family engagement are important to reducing recidivism, Akana said as she stood on the recreation field Sunday while fathers threw footballs and kicked soccer balls with their children.

The men, children and caregivers also enjoyed a barbecue lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, sweet potato fries, kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice and smoked pork, haupia, ice cream and cupcakes.

Eleven WCF staff as well as Keiki O Ka ‘Āina volunteers spent their Sunday facilitating games and helping children pick toys that included stuffed Winnie the Pooh Bears, Transformers, L.O.L Surprise Dolls, Paw Patrol and other toys donated by Keiki O Ka ‘Āina.

Fathers also played water balloon toss with their keiki on the basketball court before they gave one another one last hug before their children and caregivers left the facility at the end of the event.

Akana said, “Reducing recidivism means dads are connected to a strong family, a strong support system.”

06/23/2024

This message is to serve as a reminder from the original notification sent on June 15, 2024:

The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) has canceled regular visitation for Sunday, June 23, 2024, due to a Keiki Day event to be held for incarcerated fathers and their children.

06/22/2024

Basic Corrections Recruit Training Graduation Ceremony

HONOLULU —The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) welcomed a new class of adult corrections officers (ACO) today, June 21, 2024, at a graduation ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. Eighteen graduates from Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) 24-03 completed training and will begin their careers as corrections officers in facilities across Hawaiʻi.

This is the third class of corrections officers that graduated since the DCR was redesignated from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Since the redesignation, the DCR compressed the recruit training course from 11 weeks to eight weeks while still covering critical training to ensure ACOs are well-prepared for their jobs.

The department also doubled the number of graduating classes, from two to three classes a year to six, to address the staff shortage at facilities in Hawai‘i.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson said, “We continue our efforts to fill the many Adult Correction Officer vacancies. This graduating class (BCRC 24-03) will help fill those vacancies.”

Currently, there are nearly 400 vacant ACO positions of the estimated 1,500 authorized ACO positions.

The BCRC training course includes more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and physical training. Recruits learn a variety of subjects that include standards of conduct, ethics and professionalism, report writing, interpersonal communications, maintaining security, crisis intervention, security threat groups (gangs), mental health, first aid, use of fi****ms, and self-defense tactics.

DCR Correctional Institutions Division Deputy Director Pamela Sturz said, “Every staff member brings different life experiences to our workforce, which helps mold our future with both seasoned staff and those with a fresh set of eyes. Together, there are endless possibilities for growth of our department.”

The department’s mission is to provide a secure correctional environment for comprehensive rehabilitative, holistic, wraparound re-entry services including culturally based approaches, to persons sentenced to our custody and care. Our goal is to reduce recidivism and generational incarceration and enhance the safety and security of our communities.

All incoming classes receive Recruit Field Training along with Basic Corrections Training. During the final weeks of training, they go into the facility and begin their job with guidance from their training sergeants.

The 18 graduates have been assigned to the following jail and prison facilities:

Hālawa Correctional Facility: 6
Women’s Community Correctional Center: 3
Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center 4
Maui Community Correctional Center: 1
Oʻahu Community Correctional Center: 4

06/15/2024

The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) has canceled regular visitation for Sunday, June 23, 2024, due to a Keiki Day event to be held for incarcerated fathers and their children.

Regular visitation at WCF remains as scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 2024.

06/15/2024

Waiawa Correctional Facility inmates earn Kapi’olani Community College Culinary certificates

HONOLULU —Ten inmates from the Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) received Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC) Culinary Arts certificates Thursday June 13, 2024.

The facility hosted a graduation luncheon where the new graduates demonstrated skills they learned in the Culinary Arts program.

The Culinary Arts program is a series of classes culminating in a six-month certificate designed to teach students the fundamentals of entering the restaurant industry, said WCF Education Supervisor Kerry Iwash*ta.

The college-level program is aimed to educate students in professionalism, commitment and responsibility. The students learn the basics of culinary arts, time management, teamwork and other practical skills.

They work toward two certificates: a ServSafe Food Handler certificate and KCC Culinary Arts certificate.

“The students have accomplished this while maintaining their responsibilities of work, required programs and other obligations,” Iwash*ta said. “Needless to say, they have maintained the focus, motivation, and work ethic to complete this program. It is both the wishes of Waiawa and the students to have them continue their pursuit of a culinary career or further their education into a degree.”

If any of the students opt to further their education, 14 credits earned from the program will appear in their University of Hawai‘i transcripts.

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Director Tommy Johnson said, “We remain grateful to the volunteer chefs for their dedication and unwavering commitment to this program which provides students with the opportunity to learn and utilize a marketable skill.”

The graduates prepared the following ‘ono dishes and desserts for the graduation banquet:

Grilled Veggie and Farfalle Pasta Salad
Taegu Tofu Salad
Char-Grilled Veggie Platter
Tangy Citrus Thai Fusion Beef Taco Salad
Persian-Inspired Shirin Polo Rice
Banh Mi Dumplings and Somen in Hot/Sour Sauce
Crispy Pressed Chicken and Veggie Satay with Peanut Glaze
Plum-Glazed Chicken and Spinach/Mushroom Roulade
Liliko‘i Panna Cotta and Fruit Skewers
Lemon Bars
Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze

06/14/2024

Women’s Community Correctional Center Resource Fair prepares inmates for reentry into community

HONOLULU — The Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) and Transforming Lives hosted a resource fair at the facility Thursday, June 13, 2024, to help inmates prepare for successful reentry into the community.

Approximately 35 vendors that include job readiness programs, education, employment/vocational training programs, housing assistance, peer support, substance abuse treatment, children and family programs, health care and behavioral health participated in the fair to provide information and referral services to approximately 160 to 170 inmates.

The WCCC previously hosted resource fairs, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the facility to temporarily cease events. Thursday’s resource fair was the first one the facility hosted since 2020.

Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta of the WCCC said, “We are very excited to restart these resource fairs, which had been stopped due to COVID. These resource fairs give hope and encouragement to our women as they prepare for and adjust to life on the outside.”

Chaplain Barbara Gatewood of Transforming Lives said, “Having resource fairs allows various community agencies and nonprofits to come into the facilities to connect inmates to a variety of services that will help them get back on their feet.”

Transforming Lives is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) and community groups to provide resources for inmates who are reentering the community.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson said, “Initiatives such as job fairs help strengthen our reach in comprehensive reentry services for those transitioning back into the community. We are very appreciative of Transforming Lives and all of the organizations and agencies participating in this and future events.”

06/14/2024

HONOLULU — Laumaka work furlough inmate Rinaldo Torres was returned to custody at the O’ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) at approximately 12:45 p.m. today, June 13, 2024, after state sheriffs apprehended him in the Diamond Head area.

He may face a second-degree escape charge that’s punishable by up to five years in prison, if convicted.

Torres, 61, had failed to return to the Laumaka Furlough Center by 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2024. Sheriffs and Honolulu police were notified.

Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) thanked the Sheriff Division – Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) for their assistance.

Torres is serving time for first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and terroristic threatening.

He is a community custody inmate in the work furlough program with pass privileges. Community custody is the lowest classification status.

06/12/2024

The State of Hawai'i is ! Please visit jobs.hawaii.gov for more information on these positions and to apply.

Hawaii State Department of Health
Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - DCR
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Hawaii Department of Transportation

06/11/2024

HONOLULU — Laumaka work furlough inmate Rinaldo Torres failed to return to the Laumaka Work Furlough Center. He was supposed to return by 4:30 p.m. today, June 10, 2024.

Sheriffs and the Honolulu Police Department were notified.
Torres, 61, is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and approximately 245 pounds. He has salt-and-pepper-colored hair and brown eyes.

Torres is serving time for first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and terroristic threatening.

He is a community custody inmate in the work furlough program with pass privileges. Community custody is the lowest classification status.

Anyone with information on Torres’ whereabouts is asked to call Sheriffs at 808-586-1352.

06/07/2024

We celebrate King Kamehameha Day next week on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to honor Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian islands in 1810.

In 1871, King Kamehameha V, Lot Kapuāiwa, issued a royal decree, proclaiming June 11th a day of celebration to honor his grandfather, known as Kamehameha the Great.

The day was first observed on June 11, 1872. The Hawai’i State Legislature and Governor proclaimed it as one of the first holidays after Hawai’i became a state in 1959.

Many events will be held across the islands to pay tribute to the respected leader. As we remember the fearless King Kamehameha, let us also remember what he fought for — strength in unity.

Over the weekend and during the King Kamehameha holiday, please be safe and responsible doing activities with family and loved ones, and when traveling on our roads and highways.

Have an enjoyable and restful time. See you safely back next week.

Aloha,

Tommy Johnson, Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

06/06/2024

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is kicking off a new multi-pronged recruitment campaign for adult corrections officers (ACO) beginning Monday, June 10, 2024.

The department officially transitioned from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on January 1, 2024, and began to ramp up its recruitment efforts with radio spots and paid social media campaigns, in addition to continued participation in job fairs.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson said, “We compressed our recruit training from 11 weeks to eight weeks while still covering all of the basics, to ensure our new ACOs are well-prepared for their jobs. We’re also doubling the number of graduating classes this year, from two to three classes a year, to six classes.”

The first adult corrections officer class of the year had 30 graduates, who celebrated the completion of their 300-hour basic corrections recruit course in March 2024.

“Despite these positive changes, we know there is more we can do,” Johnson said, noting that there is currently an estimated 1,125 filled adult corrections officer positions statewide and nearly 400 vacant positions. “The more positions we can fill, the more we can reduce our overtime costs, and this also helps create a more optimal work environment for our hard-working team of ACOs.”

“Additionally, having more staff available provides additional opportunities for inmates, such as attending additional programming, while preparing them for release,” he added.

The department is seeking certain qualities in new recruits. “Weʻve transitioned from what some have seen as a punitive model, to a rehabilitative and restorative model of justice. We’re looking for employees with a genuine desire to help others succeed in life. We want adult corrections officers who see the potential in the inmates and are willing to serve as mentors, to help them successfully reintegrate back into the community,” Johnson said.

The new campaign is called, “Unlocking Potential,” which centers on the department’s goal and vision of rehabilitation. It includes a 30-second spot showing the mentoring relationship between an ACO and an inmate, and the progression of the inmate’s readiness for the outside world, as he moves from initial tentativeness to being confident about his abilities. The spot also shows the various services offered to inmates sentenced to our custody and care including education and job training.

The spot will be shown at Consolidated and Regal theaters statewide, beginning Monday, June 10, 2024 and continue through September 1, 2024.

A 15-second version of the spot will be geotargeted to those who go to the movies, which means they will see the same message when they use various apps. Those who live in the areas near the theaters will also see the same message when streaming on their mobile devices.

Featured in the spot is Carl Dunaway, a veteran corrections officer at the Hālawa Correctional Facility (HCF). The role of the inmate is played by an actor.

In addition to the spots, the DCR also produced three videos featuring three ACOs — Dunaway, Chief of Security Maj. Joanna-Jacklyn “Jojo” White and Sgt. Nani Cossey, also of HCF — who tell their story of how they became corrections officers and why they continue to serve in their respective roles. The videos will be posted on the DCR website and shown at job fairs.

Dunaway, who has been a corrections officer at the Hālawa Correctional Facility for the past 34 years, started after graduating from high school.

In the video, he describes how he overcame adversity that he faced in his youth. “I grew up in the foster care system and had to face all types of challenges, but I had a good role model in my early years, Father Phil Harmon. I was lucky that I was able to stay on the right path, and now I have a chance to be a role model and a mentor for these inmates, so that they can become productive members of society,” Dunaway said.

The DCR awarded the recruitment campaign contract to Strategic Communication Solutions.

This is "DCR TV Spot - 0:30" by NMG Network on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/02/2024

Videos from the Kids' Day event at the Women's Community Correctional Center (WCCC) hosted by the Wellspring Covenant Church today, June 1, 2024.

06/02/2024

Faith-based organization hosts Kids’ Day at Women’s Community Correctional Center to support keiki and incarcerated mothers

HONOLULU — Incarcerated mothers spent time with their children for Kids’ Day for a belated Mother’s Day celebration at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) today, June 1, 2024.

Thirteen mothers and 23 children participated in the event that originally was scheduled to be in mid-May, but heavy rains prompted WCCC to reschedule it.

Wellspring Covenant Church hosted Kids’ Day to facilitate quality time between mothers and their children. The main purpose of the event is to help mothers bond with their children and to stop the generational cycle of incarceration, said Wellspring Covenant Church Kids’ Day Coordinator Susan Soken.

“It’s building those relationships,” Soken said, adding that maintaining and strengthening relationships with their kids gives mothers motivation to return to the community and reunite with their children. “It gives them a purpose.”

Mothers played games and made crafts with their children and enjoyed a barbecue lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos. Face painting and a photo booth were also part of the fun-filled 3 1/2-hour event.

Donations from the Wellspring Covenant Church and its community partners made the event possible.

Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta of the WCCC thanked staff from the facility’s Offender Services Section for working alongside members of the Wellspring Covenant Church to make this day happen. “WCCC is always looking for ways to help our women enhance their parenting and other skills related to their successful return to the community,” Guillonta said.

Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) said, “Events such as these are critically important to both the wellbeing of the mothers and their children and serve to strengthen and reinforce bonds between mother and child. The department is very grateful to Wellspring Covenant Church, its community partners, and our staff for their dedication and commitment to ensuring this event took place.”

05/19/2024

Staff at the Halawa Correctional Facility (HCF) hosted a fun water bucket challenge to raise money for the Hawai’i Foodbank Drive Friday, May 17, 2024.

Warden Shannon Cluney and Chief of Security Major Joanna-Jacklyn “Jojo” White took turns getting drenched as facility staff showed their athletic skills with bean bag throws.

Staff members donated $1 or one canned good per bean bag for the water bucket challenge. Proceeds will go to help those in need.

05/17/2024

The uniformed and non-uniformed staff at the Hawai’i Community Correctional Center (HCCC) are among the dedicated staff employed with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR).

Recently, Deputy Director Sanna Muñoz of the DCR Rehabilitation Services and Programs Division visited HCCC to present the Governor’s Proclamation on behalf of the DCR leadership team during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 5-11, 2024).

“National Correctional Officers and Employees Week serves as a testament to the dedication of correctional officers and personnel, epitomizing integrity, respect, and honorable service,” states the proclamation signed by Governor Josh Green, M.D. on April 26, 2024.

We greatly appreciate each and every one of you for all that you do every day!