HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0796.001 2010-2012 �vM`vlos h--i
we' Phone: (808) 323-4277
BRENDA J. FORD - •: �"' . ,
Council Member -" Fax: (808) 329- 4786
District 7 - Central Kona ' 44.6;* E-Mail: bford @co.hawaii.hi.us
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
DATE: August 31, 2012
TO: Dominic Yagong, Chairperson,
and Members of the Hawai`i County Council
FROM: V y Brenda J. Ford, Council Member
SUBJECT: Transmitting additional information related to Communication 796 (Resolution
285-12) Justice Reinvestment Initiative—Victim Unit Positions; August 14, 2012
email from Hawaii County Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi..
For your information, please find copy of email communication from Hawai`i County
Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi dated August 14, 2012.
BJF/dkr
att.
Comm. No. —7q(o'1
Ref.To:. ( 3 2012
Ref.Date.
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai`i County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
Page 1 of 2
Kailiwai-Ray, Debralee
From: Leinani Wessel [Iwessel @co.hawaii.hi.us]
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 4:17 PM
To: Kailiwai-Ray, Debralee
Subject: FW:Justice Reinvestment Initiative ---Victim Unit Positions provided through the Legislature -- County
Council Finance Committee Comm. 796(Res.295-12)
j L 24f5-1 Z
l.011 ll�11 Aktt. tiplOun it:lle tnl)i r 11,1Ll,l L'iJ
I'i•1I ft I c tttr;ll 0n.1
;,'11 ,ltic Kiollok,tlolL' I I',vv
h.tilu.� lki,tt.i-III 9 ; -10
(SOS) ,vZ: 127
lvv'r' l z1 c,v11,1 .111.hi.n,
From: Charlene Iboshi [mailto:ciboshi @co.hawaii.hi.us]
Sent:Tuesday, August 14, 2012 10:44 AM
To: bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; 'Wessel, Leinani'
Cc: 'Nancy Kelly'; ncrawford @co.hawaii.hi.us; 'Nancy Kelly'; dross @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: RE: Justice Reinvestment Initiative---Victim Unit Positions provided through the Legislature --
County Council Finance Committee Comm. 796 (Res.;95=12)
215-1Z.-
Councilwoman Ford, I heard there may a delay for over an hour for the County Council Finance
Committee Hearings based upon technical difficulties. I have a"Going Home Committee Mfg"at 11:30,
and Nancy Crawford was willing to"stand in"for me at your meeting. I had contacted your Aide Leinani
Wessel to advise her of the situation.
I have provided a purpose description of the monies we have received from the Legislature. The monies
were designated for specific positions and equipment. We cannot use the funding for any other purpose.
The funding is temporary and we expect another year's funding at the Legislature. Thank you for your
support.
The purpose of the positions is to enhance victim notification, restitution determination and collection, and
victim safety planning. This is the justification for that we submitted to the Legislature and JRI
victims' subcommittee:
Proposal for funding from the Justice Reinvestment Initiative
Hawaii County Victim Assistance Unit, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
After a crime, victims are eager for information on the perpetrator, concerned about safety,
wondering about the justice system, worried about recovering losses from the crime or medical
bills. Those concerns are not alleviated with time, so whether an offender is arrested soon after
an incident or later after the Prosecutor's Office has made a charging decision, notification and
support from the Victim Assistance Unit is a vital link for citizens. When an offender is
released, information could be a life and death situation for some victims and an area of great
concern for most people.
Unfortunately, some criminal justice agencies see themselves as advocates for offenders, and
victims have a difficult time receiving information about the offender's location, conditions of
release, or status of restitution payments.
8/31/2012
Page 7of2
With the pending release of incarcerated offenders in Hawaii, it is absolutely critical to have a system
and services in place to support the current and future victims of those offenders. The State of Hawai'i
must balance the amount of energy being expended on the offenders with consideration and equal
investment in the safety and well being of their victims.
The Victim Assistance Unit (VAU) is requesting additional staff and associated equipment and supplies
to improve response to victims of crime. Our current level of services includes outreach to victims of
violent crimes when an offender is arrested or upon intake of a police report at the prosecutor's office.
At this time, victims of property crimes are contacted only upon request from a deputy prosecutor or if
self-referred. With more staff, VAU could provide services to more victims from the time of arrest or
charge and throughout the offender's incarceration period. Resources could also he directed to areas,
such as restitution, in which the judiciary has consistently failed to balance the needs of victims with the
rights of offenders.
With funding for additional staff, VAU would be able to assist victims of violence and property crimes
with:
• input for bail studies and sentencing recommendations
• safety plans
• assistance in obtaining restitution information
• information about the offender's status (Vinelink)
• monitoring restitution payments for select cases
• referrals to community resources
• notice of upcoming court events
• support at court hearings
Staffing: $198,960
One Victim Assistance Counselor 1 in Hilo (SR 20, $40,512/year)
One Victim Assistance Counselor I in Kona (SR 20, $40,512/year
One Legal Clerk I in Hilo (SR 10, $27,756/year)
One Legal Clerk I in Kona (SR .10, $27,756/year)
One Victim Assistant in Hilo (SR 13, $31,212/year)
One Victim Assistant in Kona(SR 13, $31,212/year)
Fringe benefits @33%: $65,657
Equipment: $5,000
Travel: $2,000
Send staff to local training to enhance knowledge and skills to improve services to crime victims.
We appreciate your support on this measure for victims in our community.
Aloha and mahalo
Charlene Y. Iboshi
Hawaii County Prosecutor
8/31/2012