Staying Connected While They're Inside: Family Programs and Work Furloughs in Hawaii

Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation runs family reunification programs to help incarcerated people reconnect with their families and children. The goal goes beyond contact while they're inside - these programs support a more successful transition back into the community at release. If your loved one is working on rebuilding family relationships as part of reentry, these programs are a good place to start.

One option families often find meaningful is Read‑To‑Me International. Inmates record themselves reading a children's book out loud, and the facility mails the book along with the recorded CD to their family. For kids, hearing a parent's voice - even from a distance - keeps that bond alive in a way phone calls and letters sometimes can't.

For families thinking ahead to release, Laumaka Work Furlough at OCCC helps eligible male inmates prepare for life outside. The program focuses on practical stability: job searching, building financial footing, developing pro-social relationships, and finding housing before release. If your loved one is close to reentry, this kind of program matters. The first weeks out are easier when work and housing plans are already in motion.

Want to learn what's available - or whether your loved one qualifies? Start by asking about family reunification programs through facility channels they're already connected to, like caseworkers. These Department-run programs exist to support family connection and community transition, so ask what options fit their situation and what steps they need to take to enroll.

• ✓ Call the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation headquarters for general program information: (808) 587-1288
• ✓ If you plan to support your loved one financially, remember that electronic trust fund deposits by approved visitors are limited to $300 per inmate, per month