Watch Now! Maj. Joanna-Jacklyn “Jojo” White started as a temporary hire 28 years ago and after a number of promotions she now serves as Chief of Security at the Halawa Correctional Facility. She enjoys her job and encourages others to apply as an Adult Corrections Officer.
The mission of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is to provide a secure correctional environment for comprehensive rehabilitative, holistic, and wraparound re-entry services, including culturally based approaches, to persons sentenced to our custody and care with professionalism, integrity, respect, and fairness. Our goal is to reduce recidivism and enhance the safety and security of our communities.
To transform Hawaii’s unified correctional system, which has been historically perceived as a punitive model, into a rehabilitative, restorative, and reentry focused system, that reduces recidivism and promotes safer communities.
Rehabilitative sustainability through evidence-based programs, including culturally based approaches, to rebuild and restore lives and the community. Transparency and accountability will remain the hallmark of the department to inspire trust in our employees, from those in our custody and care, and the community we serve.
To protect members of the community and their property from victimization, caused through criminal actions, by managing secure institutions to detain individuals ordered into our custody and care, and provide a safe and humane correctional setting for our employees and offenders. Also, to provide rehabilitative, holistic and reach-in wraparound reentry services to reduce recidivism and achieve better outcomes for offenders. To reach these goals, the DCR will coordinate legislation as necessary to collaborate with community and cultural organizations and where appropriate, to compensate victims of crime.
Over 95% of those who come to our correctional facilities will eventually be released. Most have challenging backgrounds, but they all have great potential. We strive to make the best use of the time we have with them. We want them to see the possibilities for their lives.
At first, these individuals may not see in themselves what we can see, but our hope is that each one makes that pivotal course correction, begins to turn their life around, and be ready to seize every opportunity to lift themselves to a new place, rejoin their families, and start their lives afresh.
That’s why we assess each individual in our care, devise personalized plans, and provide holistic support services, all to ensure a successful re-entry into the community. We offer a spectrum of services and opportunities, and with ongoing support from the state, we can continue to invest in their lives. Better physical facilities, expanded programs, and additional supportive services are all important to create an optimal environment to help them flourish.
We encourage inmates to see new possibilities for their lives and provide the education and training to help them realize their full potential. We invite you to be a part of our team to help with this important mission.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is seeking qualified team members to fill a variety of positions. If you have a heart for people and want to join us in making a difference, we welcome you to apply.
Every person in our custody has a unique story – often marked by challenging beginnings and difficult environments. Our goal is to help them rewrite their story. We offer a full spectrum of programs.
Providing a physical space for inmates to flourish is critical to rehabilitation. Investing in our state’s correctional facilities is as important as investing in the lives of our inmates.
Hawaii’s correctional facilities are aging. This hinders the Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation’s ability to carry out our vision. Ongoing investment is critical.
The Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) in Kailua is being transformed into a beautiful, nurturing site. Construction of a new administration building, housing unit, and visitation/intake building are now underway.
Seven Benefits of Reentry Programs
Effective reentry means individuals who are incarcerated are able to return to the community and find suitable employment, stable and appropriate housing, support their family, and become a contributing member of our community.
Research has shown that when programs address the known risk factors for reoffending and are delivered with integrity, they lower rates of recidivism (reincarceration) and victimization because the risk factors of criminal behavior are reduced.
Here are seven benefits of quality re-entry programs:
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is committed to ensuring that its website and available documents are accessible to people with disabilities. If you would like to provide feedback on site accessibility or to request documents in alternative formats, you may contact: Patrick De Costa, Acting Statewide ADA Coordinator, at email [email protected].
Over 95% of those who come to our correctional facilities will eventually be released. Most have challenging backgrounds, but they all have great potential. We strive to make the best use of the time we have with them.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1177 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
