Inmate Assistance Programs

Objective 7: Facilitate the adoption and implementation of Justice Counts in additional states. (Light Touch States)
In California CSG Justice Center staff met with the California District Attorneys Association to provide them with an introduction to Justice Counts and an avenue to assist with their Accountability Bill.?In California CSG Justice Center staff introduced the project to Deputy Attorney General.?

Attended the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission public meeting with Christin Johnson (Coordinator, HCSOC), Mark Patterson, (Chairman, HCSOC), Honorable Michael Town (Commissioner, HCSOC), Martha Torney (Commissioner, HCSOC), and members of the community. During the meeting, HCSOC members announced the resignation of Ted Sakai (Commissioner, HCSOC), discussed legislative priorities for 2024 legislative session, swore in new commissioner Honorable R. Mark Browning, and provided a brief summary of the Monthly HCSOC Coordinator Report.

Meeting with Pamela Ferguson-Brey (Executive Director, Hawaii Victim Compensation) and Dennis Dunn (Retired Director, Victim Witness Kokua Services, Department of Prosecuting Attorney’s Office) to discuss victim perspectives on HPA minimum setting; they expressed interest in more victim services/resources

Meeting with Sean Aaronson (Committee Counsel, House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee) to discuss CSG Justice Center and the Hawaii Legislature. Â

Attended a public Joint Information Hearing on the HCSOC with state representatives with the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Committee on Corrections, Military and Veteran. Representatives from HCSOC provided an overview of functions of HCSOC, reviewed HRS 353H, and discussed a project relating to minimum sentencing for programs/treatment programs.Â

Meeting with State Representative Gregg Takayama (Majority Whip) to discuss HCR 23 Task Force progress and potential recommendations.Â

Meeting with State Representative Mark Hashem (Chair, House Corrections, Military, & Veterans Committee) to discuss HCR 23 Task Force progress and potential recommendations.

Meeting with Dr. Michael Champion (Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Office of the Governor) to discuss potential future projects, Reentry 2030, and JRI.Â

HCR-23 Task Force meeting. Two CSG Justice staff members attended in person and one CSG Justice Staff member attended via Zoom. There were 26 participants present. Fred Hyun (Chairman, HPA), accompanied by HPA member Gene DeMello and former HPA member Judge Michael Town (ret.), conducted three mock HPA minimum hearings based on real cases, with case information redacted.

Meeting with Dr. Michael Champion (Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Office of the Governor) and John Mizuno (Senior Advisor for Homelessness, Office of the Governor) to discuss potential future projects, Reentry 2030, and JRI within the state of Hawaii. Â