The paroling authority sets the minimum terms that inmates must serve before they can be released from prison, a task that other states assign to judges.
U.S. Department of Justice statistics show the state prison system released 30% fewer inmates in 2020 than the year before, the biggest decrease among the states.
Otani
The state’s public safety director is advocating for more inmates to take the COVID-19 vaccine in hopes of slowing an outbreak at the Maui Community Correctional Center.
A total of 83 inmates have tested positive for the virus since the first case was reported Feb. 1.
Forty cases are still active. Last week, one staff member tested positive through independent testing but has since recovered, the department said Tuesday.
“I don’t know if there is an end in sight. I know if there was I would be really happy to know when it’s going to be,” recently confirmed Public Safety Director Max Otani said Tuesday afternoon. “(Inmates) keep coming in. If inmates refuse vaccination, it’s not helping the situation also. So if inmates could be encouraged to take the vaccine, then we are pretty sure we can get this under control a lot faster.”