STATE PLANNING DRUG REHAB 'PRISON' ON BIG ISLAND

The state plans to build a prison-type facility on the Big Island -- the
first of its kind in the state -- that will focus on drug-abuse treatment
for 600 inmates, but actual construction won't begin for more than a year,
officials say.

A $1.5 million planning study is under way to evaluate potential sites for
the "secure treatment facility" and gauge its effect on surrounding areas.

Prison officials say locations that were considered in the past have not
been ruled out, but others will be considered as well.

The facility, within a secure perimeter fence, would house medium-security
inmates but would be more than a prison, Department of Public Safety
corrections chief Frank Lopez said through a spokeswoman.

Drug-abuse treatment would be a priority but other educational and
counseling programs would be included. The planning process, expected to
take one year, will allow the public to ask questions and express opinions
about the project, according to Lopez.

Designing the facility would require additional time and money before actual
construction could begin, however.

The state is proceeding cautiously with the project as part of a
comprehensive prison and treatment plan that may also include other new
facilities and treatment programs, state comptroller Russ Saito said.

"We're taking a step back to see what are the feasible areas to put these
kinds of facilities," he said. "We're also looking at what programs will be
included, and their effect on planning the facilities."

Saito said the state is also reviewing its juvenile justice system.

"You don't want the juvenile facilities to be essentially a feeder network
into the adult system," he said.

Officials are also considering building a secure treatment facility on O'ahu
and a separate facility for women, according to Lopez.

The state has struggled for more than a decade with crowded prisons while
drug problems increase, but has so far been unable to reach a consensus
about what to do.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano considered building prisons for Hawai'i inmates in
Arizona and on the Big Island at King's Landing, in Ka'u, and near the Hilo
airport.

The state also spent more than $2.8 million in the late 1990s preparing
plans and environmental reports for a 2,300-bed prison at Kulani, also on
the Big Island, but lawmakers never put up money to build it.

There are more than 5,000 inmates in Hawai'i's correctional system,
including about 1,350 in private Mainland prisons that the state contracts
with.

Prison officials estimate that 85 percent of Hawai'i's inmates need some
form of treatment for drug or alcohol abuse and that more than 90 percent
will be released at some point.

Gov. Linda Lingle has said she wants to make drug-abuse treatment a high
priority to lessen the prospect that released inmates would return to
prison.

Sidebar:

The Need For Treatment

* How Many Prisoners: 5,000, including about 1,350 in private Mainland
prisons

* Drug Treatment Needs: Officials estimate 85 percent of prison inmates
require treatment

* Location of New Facility: To be determined