(a) There is established within the office of the chief justice a criminal justice research institute dedicated to examining all aspects of the criminal justice system, for the purpose of assisting the State in understanding the system in a more comprehensive way and ensuring the protection of individual rights, increasing efficiencies, and controlling costs. The institute shall have the authority to examine all areas of the criminal justice system, including police, prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, pretrial services, probation and parole, jails, and prisons, as well as examine the manner in which related areas, including mental health services and drug treatment services, intersect with the criminal justice system.
Concurrent resolution: A legislative measure, designated "S. Con. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction, generally employed to address the sentiments of both chambers, to deal with issues or matters affecting both houses, such as a concurrent budget resolution, or to create a temporary joint committee. Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the President/Governor and thus do not have the force of law.
Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
(b) The institute’s duties and functions shall include:
(1) Collecting data to monitor the overall functioning of the criminal justice system;(2) Monitoring evidence-based practices and reporting on the effectiveness of practices and policies implemented as a result of the recommendations of the criminal pretrial task force established by House Concurrent Resolution No. 134, House Draft 1 (2017);(3) Conducting cost-benefit analysis on various areas of operation;(4) Monitoring national trends in criminal justice; and(5) Issuing public reports to inform all criminal justice stakeholders and the public about the functioning of the criminal justice system.(c) The institute shall be overseen by a board of directors, which shall consist of the chief justice, or the chief justice’s designee, a representative of the office of the governor, an appointee of the senate president and an appointee of the speaker of the house, and the director of law enforcement. The board of directors shall be chaired by the chief justice, or the chief justice’s designee.(d) The chief justice shall appoint as director of the institute a researcher with a doctoral degree and experience in the criminal justice field. The director shall hire staff necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including a minimum of two assistant researchers and one clerical assistant. The institute may seek the assistance of the University of Hawaii or another appropriate entity when conducting large or complex research projects that require more staff.(e) Employees of the institute shall be exempt from chapter 76 and shall not be considered civil service employees, but shall be entitled to any employee benefit plan normally inuring to civil service employees.(f) The board of directors shall meet with the director not less than once each quarter to receive reports from the director and make recommendations and set policy. The initial report shall include suggestions, if any, for additional duties and functions of the institute.
