Prison tops list of state projects

The state will be spending $16.4 million for improvement projects at correctional facilities statewide, including $9 million to design a new prison on the Valley Isle, state officials said yesterday.

An additional $7.4 million will pay for various improvements and upgrades at correctional facilities on Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, addressing numerous health, safety and security issues at the six facilities, they said.

"Improvements to our correctional facilities will help ensure the health and safety of inmates and public safety employees, as well as the overall security of the surrounding communities," Gov. Linda Lingle said. "The repairs and upgrades will also increase the operational efficiencies of our correctional facilities."

The Maui Community Correctional Center in Wailuku will be replaced by the Maui Regional Public Safety Complex.

While the overcrowded 7-acre correctional center houses pretrial detainees, the new 38-acre facility in Puunene will house more than 840 minimum- and medium-security inmates by 2012, officials said.

The safety complex also will include support functions, such as intake services, health care, drug and sex offender treatment programs, parole programs, education and vocational services, as well as intensive reintegration programs, they said.

Meanwhile, health care facilities at the Kulani Correctional Facility in Hilo will be relocated, and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in its administration building will be replaced.

Module C at the Kauai Community Correctional Center will get a new roof, and waste-water system improvements will be implemented.

Various improvements also have been slated for four facilities on Oahu: Halawa and Waiawa correctional facilities, Women's Community Correctional Center and Oahu Community Correctional Center.