Acting prisons chief
cites lack of vision,
instability

By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

Acting Public Safety Director Ted Sakai today acknowledged that "there has been a lack of clear vision for the state correctional system."

Sakai, whose nomination for the directorship is still pending before the state Senate, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that "this problem has been compounded by instability in the leadership of the department."

"From 1987, when the Department of Corrections (predecessor to the Department of Public Safety) was formed, until 1998, five separate persons have served as director or acting director."

Only one of those people -- George Sumner -- had any background in corrections, Sakai said.

Sakai, a career corrections specialist, was before the Senate committee to respond to a 14-page report issued Feb. 5. The report followed two days of hearings triggered by stories of corruption and staff misconduct at Hawaii's eight prison facilities.

The most explosive part of the Senate investigation, spearheaded by Democrats Matt Matsunaga and Avery Chumbley, were allegations of inmate abuse and corruption that were forwarded to U.S. Attorney Steve Alm and City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle.

Sakai told the committee that his office has since contacted Alm and Carlisle and will cooperate with their investigation.

In his 15-page response, Sakai said that attempts are now under way to change the operating philosophy, accountability and training problems that surround the state's correctional system.

In responding to several areas of concerns, Sakai said that in dealing with:

Allegations of violence -- he has instituted a retraining program for all guards on the use of force, asked the American Corrections Association to review the department's policies and procedures, and wants to reinstitute a crisis intervention course.

The problem of communications -- he wants to hold pre-shift briefings at all Hawaii's eight prisons and is requiring all wardens, deputy wardens and chiefs of security to walk through their facilities at least three times a week. Each watch commander also will be required to make a tour of his facility at least once each work shift.

Training problems -- he will allow a prison to stop all operations so all guards can attend a training session.

Internal grievances -- he believes that these matters are better addressed at the corrections level rather than involving the attorney general.