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Murashige, Laura
From: Irene Nagao <irene.nagao@hawaiiantel.net>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2015 6:57 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Les Estrella; Kimi Palacio; Going Home Hawaii
Subject: TESTIMONY ON : Resolution 268-15, Draft 2
Attachments: Testimony Template (Stepping Up Initiative) - GH Members.docx
Please accept the attached testimony for the County Council meeting scheduled for November 3, 2015.
Any questions or comments can be addressed to me at (808) 987-8262'or by email: irene.nagaoghawaiiantel.net
Thank.you for consideration of this matter.
Aloha
Irene A. Nagao
Going Home Consortium
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Vice-President/BOD
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Comm. No. �
Ref. To: CO
Ref. Date NOV 9 2015
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November 2, 2015
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Resolution 268-15, Draft 2
Aloha Council Members,
I am writing to express my support of Resolution 268-15, Draft 2 that urges the County of
Hawaii to enlist in the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce the number of jailed persons at Hawaii
Community Correctional Center (HCCC) with mental illness.
The prevalence of persons with serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than
in the general public and adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release
are at a higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders. Without appropriate
treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal
justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals and families.
By enlisting ,Hawai`i County in this national effort, you will afford us the opportunity to gain
necessary training, support, and hopefully put us "on the map" for available funding. As you
know, our County is in desperate need of funding to support services within the community that
have the ability to assist these mentally ill, non-violent offenders `prior to, upon, and following
their release.
If these non-violent, mentally ill offenders are able to gain access to services prior to (jail
diversion) or upon their release from a jail or prison facility, the recidivism in our County will
lower significantly and our Department of Public Safety personnel will not face the stress and
frustration of having their facilities over capacity; and therefore, overburdened. This will make
for a much safer, healthier, and productive community for us all to work, play, and enjoy.
Thank you for taking the time to read this testimony.
Mahalo,
Irene A. Nagao
Vice -President
Going Home Consortium
(808) 987-8262
irene.nagao@hawaiiantel.net