Can cultural practices serve criminal populations in a positive way?
Those in support of puuhonua wellness centers in Hawaii believe so.
Community Alliance on Prisons Coordinator Kat Brady explained in her testimony that we must find “alternative means to reintegrate people who have lost their way.” Native Hawaiian culture may be one possible alternative.
A bill that would require the Department of Public Safety to plan for a model wellness center has just been passed with amendments, and moves on to be heard by the Ways and Means Committee on February 28, 2012.
If passed into law, SB3016 will allow for the creation of a wellness center – that employs Native Hawaiian cultural practices to the treatment of incarcerated individuals – and a work release program, on the Big Island. Folks in support of this measure believe that this type of center and cultural programming can better serve to rehabilitate and reintegrate incarcerated Native Hawaiians.
You can read more about the proposed puuhonua center on Bloomberg Businessweek, Big Island Video News, and track the status of SB3601 on the Hawaii State Legislature website.
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