Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission

11/10/2025

Thank you, Honolulu Civil Beat, for having us!

Oversight Coordinator Christin Johnson and Chair Mark Patterson discuss funding challenges, staffing shortages, safety issues, investigations and rehabilitation at the state’s prisons and jails.

Coordinator Christin Johnson and Chair Mark Patterson discuss funding challenges, staffing shortages, safety issues, investigations and rehabilitation at the state's prisons and jails.

10/30/2025

Chair Mark Patterson, Oversight Coordinator Christin Johnson, Reentry Oversight Specialist Kimmy Takata, and Jail Oversight Specialist Alec Jamerson attending the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) 2025 Annual Conference. This was a meaningful opportunity for training, presenting, networking, and peer support in the field or corrections oversight.

Our team was honored to present in four panels this year, and also received specific training for board/commission members, executive directors, and investigators of oversight offices. We were proud to represent the State of Hawaii in becoming national leaders in oversight practices.

Thank you National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement for having us!

10/30/2025

Our Reentry Oversight Specialist, Kimmy Takata, presented on the importance of having lived experience on oversight teams at the 2025 National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Conference. Her testimony was passionate and meaningful. Kimmy presented alongside New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota correctional oversight offices. Great job, Kimmy!

Thank you National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement for having us!

10/28/2025

Oversight Coordinator Christin Johnson and Chair Mark Patterson were honored to share the HCSOC's powerful story of being defunded, temporarily funded by the Governor's office, and ultimately funded permanently by the Hawaii State Legislature. We are so grateful for the community and all or our government partners who have supported us through our journey of building corrections oversight in the state of Hawaii. It was a pleasure to present alongside the Minnesota Corrections Ombuds office.

Thank you National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement for having us at the 2025 National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement National Confernece!

10/28/2025

Oversight Coordinator Christin Johnson and Chair Mark Patterson attending the 2025 National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Annual Conference!

The HCSOC is honored to be a part of four panels this year including:

● Surviving the Storm: Building and Rebuilding Correctional Oversight in the Face of Political Pressure
● De-escalation in a Custody Setting
● Accountability in Crisis: How Oversight Can Drive Solutions to Corrections Staffing Shortages
● Doing Oversight After Doing Time: How Lived Experience is Reshaping Correctional Oversight Offices

Thank you National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement for having us!

07/16/2025

We are hiring!

This Prison Oversight Specialist oversees the following five prisons: Halawa Correctional Facility, Waiawa Correctional Facility, Kulani Correctional Facility, Women’s Community Correctional Center, and Saguaro Correctional Center (privately run facility in Arizona) managed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) and have jurisdiction over investigating complaints at each facility. Additionally, this position will help facilitate a correctional system transition to a rehabilitative and therapeutic model.

Learn more about the position and how to apply at hcsoc.hawaii.gov

07/16/2025

Have you had the opportunity to read our in depth report on the current state of reentry in Hawaii?

Consistent with the Commission’s mandate to monitor and review the reentry system and comprehensive offender reentry program, the Commission published its inaugural reentry report, Hoe Amau: The current state of reentry in Hawaii. Hoe amau (pull for the shore) represents the desperate effort to reach a safe and stable place, symbolizing the hope for salvation and opportunity for a new beginning.

Hawaii’s correctional and reentry system stands at a pivotal moment, with a clear path forward toward a rehabilitative and therapeutic model. While significant challenges remain—including staffing shortages, gaps in reentry services, and delays in parole releases—this report highlights both the barriers and the opportunities for meaningful reform. Addressing systemic issues such as inadequate reentry planning, limited program availability, and inconsistent implementation of statutory mandates will be critical in improving outcomes for individuals in custody and enhancing community safety.

Read it on our website at hcsoc.hawaii.gov

02/06/2025

Breaking Cycles represents a series of efforts that gathered community, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to explore new approaches to corrections, diversion, and reentry. Breaking Cycles Final Report Download PDF Breaking Cycles began as a series of speaker events sponsored by: The Departmen...

01/24/2025

The Commission has released its long-awaited report: Correctional Staff Survey, Findings, & Recommendations.

Mahalo to Chair and Vice Chair of PSM for having us present this important work during a PSM informational briefing. Mahalo to for the additional coverage. And a special mahalo to all the .dcr corrections staff who dedicate their lives to making our jails and prisons safer.

You can read the full report and survey responses on our website here: https://hcsoc.hawaii.gov/systemic-reports/

01/24/2025

The Oversight Commission has submitted the official report and findings from the HCR23 Task Force. Mahalo to for entrusting us with chairing this task force, the for all of your assistance and data, and all task force members for your time and expertise.

You can read the report on our website here: https://hcsoc.hawaii.gov/systemic-reports/

01/18/2025

To our outgoing Reentry & Diversion Oversight Special, Cara Compani - We will never be able to accurately express our deep gratitude for your tireless dedication and work for the Commission. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! A hui hou! 🌺❤️

01/18/2025

To our outgoing Reentry & Diversion Oversight Special, Cara Compani - We will never be able to accurately express our deep gratitude for your tireless dedication and work for the Commission. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! A hui hou! 🌺❤️🫶