HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230119OPA.pdf
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
County of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i
3990 Ka‘ana Street, Suite 210, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766
808-241-1888 ~ FAX 808-241-1758
Victim/Witness Program 808-241-1898 or 800-668-5734
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Rebecca V. Like
Prosecuting Attorney
Keola Siu
First Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2023
More Than 65 Elected Prosecutors Pledge to Visit
Their Local Correctional Facilities
DAs to Implement Officewide Requirements Promoting Greater
Understanding of Conditions and Implications of Incarceration
Yesterday, County of Kaua`i Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like, along with 65 elected
prosecutors nationwide pledged to personally visit the correctional facilities in which individuals
prosecuted by their offices are placed and to require all prosecutors in their offices to do the
same. The signatories – who represent nearly 51 million people across 28 states and the District
of Columbia – emphasize that “it is vital for prosecutors to understand the true impact of their
decisions and to see firsthand the jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities in their jurisdiction” The
pledge is part of Fair and Just Prosecution’s ongoing efforts to advance FAMM’s #VisitAPrison
challenge, which encourages all state and federal policymakers to visit a prison or jail.
Prosecutor Like stated, “During the pandemic-related lockdowns, it became impossible to ignore
the isolation and neglect of incarcerated individuals. As law enforcement officers, it is critical
that our deputy prosecutors witness the consequences of incarceration firsthand.
Jails on the continent, as well as here on Kaua`i, continue to be plagued with overcrowding and a
lack of continuity of medical care and mental health treatment. Humane treatment and access to
services for incarcerated individuals translates to increased public safety. Having our staff know
the implications of a jail sentence clarifies why individuals reoffend and facilitates tailoring
probation, supervision and treatment to set individuals up for success.”
Each year, there are over 10 million jail admissions and around 600,000 people are sent to
prison. Prosecutors have immense influence over whether someone becomes incarcerated and for
how long, but far too many only have an abstract idea of what these facilities are really like. As
more prosecutors implement reforms to help reduce our jail and prison populations, it is critical
that they and their staff develop a deep understanding of correctional facilities – including how
isolating, dehumanizing and unsafe conditions can impact an individual’s rehabilitation efforts
and in turn, the safety of the communities to which they return.
“It’s hard to grasp how incarceration can cause irreparable harm to people if you haven’t seen the
inside of an American prison or jail. Yet, every day across the country, prosecutors who’ve never
stepped foot in these facilities are making decisions that significantly impact whether someone
will be removed from their community and sent to spend time behind bars,” said Miriam
Krinsky, Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution. “We’re proud to stand with the
elected prosecutors who have made it a priority for their staff to see the conditions of
confinement in their local correctional facilities. We hope these experiences will build empathy,
heighten awareness of the need for alternatives to incarceration, and inspire other elected leaders
to join the pledge.”
The pledge was last issued in July 2022 and now includes many of the inspiring reform-minded
prosecutors who have recently assumed office. Participating offices will carry out their
commitment over the coming year and beyond, as the elected leaders, as well as all prosecutors
in their offices, complete visits to their local prison, jail and juvenile facilities. Requiring these
visits is a crucial part of setting culture and expectations among those who make vitally
important decisions in these offices every day.
Read the full pledge statement and see a list of participants here, and read a reflection from
Ramsey County, Minn. Attorney John Choi recounting the impact visiting local correctional
facilities has had on his office.
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