The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation offers a variety of courses to help inmates grow both personally and professionally to achieve success after release.
Education Programs:
- Adult Basic Education/High School Equivalency Preparation (Statewide, Saguaro): For inmates who do not have a high school diploma and need to study and prepare to strengthen basic academic skills to earn a high school diploma (HSD) or equivalent while incarcerated.
- Essential Education Web-based Software (Statewide): For inmates studying for their HSE or need to strengthen academic skills. This program also includes a course on money, computers, and work skills.
- GED and/or HiSET – HSE Prep and Testing (Statewide, Saguaro): Testing for inmates to earn a high school diploma (HSD) equivalent.
- Chaminade University – 2nd Chance Pell Grant (HCF): An Associate Degree in Business Administration for those with a high school diploma, GED, or HSE and qualifies for FAFSA.
- Windward Community College – 2nd Chance Pell Grant (HCF, WCCC): An associate degree in Hawaiian Studies & Innovation and Credit/Certification in Psyco-Social Development for those with a high school diploma, GED, or HSE and qualifies for FAFSA.
- College Correspondence Courses (Saguaro): Correspondence classes offered in a wide variety of subject areas. Delivery of services provided by Rio Salado Community College.
Other Programs:
- Violence Intervention, Domestic Violence Anger Management, Victim Support Services (WCCC, HCCC): For female inmates preparing to be released into the community with a history of domestic violence. Delivery of services provided by Keiki O Ka Aina (WCCC) and BISAC (HCCC).
- Cognitive Skills-Transformation CBT (HCF, WCF, WCCC): This program provides group and individual counseling sessions in changing an inmate’s behavior. Delivery of services provided by the Salvation Army.
- Cognitive Skills-Thinking for a Change/T4C (KCF, MCCC, KCCC): This program provides group sessions in changing an inmate’s behavior facilitated by facility staff certified by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
- Cognitive Skills-P-CHAMP/Lifestiles (HCF, WCF, WCCC): This correspondence cognitive skills course is delivered via Zoom sessions.
- Try Think (HCF, WCCC): This program strives to bring people together to bridge the gaps and share ideas to strengthen ties with each other and their sense of community. Delivery of services provided by volunteers with the Hawaii Counsel for Humanities.
- Project NAM (HCF, WCCC): This volunteer-led course provides inmates with the opportunity to learn how to choose alternative options to criminal thinking and behavior by developing values of honesty, respect, tolerance, responsibility, and compassion for others.
- Yoga (HCF, OCCC, WCF, WCCC): An instructional education program to develop body awareness, focus and relieve everyday stress.
- Ka Ipu Haa Mentoring (MCCC): Provides a safe space for male and female inmates to share feelings, develop communication skills, and promote personal productivity. Delivery of services provided by Mental Health America (MHA).
- Cultural Healing & Well Being (WCCC): Provides Native Hawaiian culture and history in its curriculum that highlights transformation through the sharing of personal stories and showcasing an individual’s talents. Delivery of services provided by volunteers with the Pua Foundation.
- Pre-Transition Program (WCCC): Provides tools on preparing for release, recognize obstacles and plans to overcome identified obstacles, provides safe spaces to discuss past trauma issues, tips on developing positive attitudes and maintaining healthy connections to succeed. Delivery of services provided by volunteers with the Pua Foundation.
- Total Life Recovery – TLR (WCCC): Provides courses in co-dependency, finances, time management, trauma, domestic violence, family relationships, social skills, and career planning. Delivery of services provided by volunteers in the faith-based community.
- Incarcerated Veteran’s Program (Statewide): Provides valuable information, benefits, and services for incarcerated veterans by a Veteran’s Affairs representative, to assist in planning for a successful release back into the community.