Governor Surveys MCCC After Riot

Gov. David Ige, Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda and United Public Workers Union’s State Director Dayton Nakanelua all traveled to Maui on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, to join Maui Mayor Michael Victorino in surveying the latest repairs and security updates underway at the Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC). They walked through the modules damaged by last month’s disturbance and also toured other parts of the facility.

Governor, Maui mayor, UPW state director and public safety director at MCCC on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. PC: Department of Public Safety.

“The incident at MCCC stemmed from long-standing conditions of overcrowding,” said Gov. David Ige. “Director Espinda has expressed regularly, in all possible forums, his deep concern for the overcrowded conditions. Until the additional bed spaces, which are at various stages of progress, become reality, the state will continue to do all in its power and capability to operate safe, secure, clean and constitutionally compliant facilities.”

“The United Public Workers Union supports Director Espinda and the Department of Public Safety in their efforts to address the overcrowding and sub-par conditions at all of the state’s correctional facilities,” said UPW State Director Dayton Nakanelua. “We are eager to work with the Director and his staff to create a better work environment for adult correctional officers statewide.”

Governor, Maui mayor, UPW state director and public safety director at MCCC on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. PC: Department of Public Safety.

Cost estimates for the MCCC emergency repairs were estimated at $5.3 million. The Fiscal Year 20 CIP money granted by the Senate Ways and Means Committee will give the Department of Public Safety (PSD) an additional $8 million for long term security improvement projects at MCCC. To date, $50,729 has been spent on the emergency repairs to the modules. This figure is subject to change as repairs continue.

“I am doing everything in my power to make sure MCCC is fully restored,” said Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda. “We are grateful to the Ways and Means Committee for moving quickly to pass a bill covering our emergency repair estimates as well as for the additional Capital Improvement Project (CIP) money for long-term security improvements at MCCC. This money will go a long way towards improving security and infrastructure at our Maui jail.”

The recovery process from the March 11 disturbance at MCCC is ongoing. Wired security glass was installed last week in the control rooms of the two affected modules. This will provide enhanced security reinforcement for those areas. A fire/smoke mitigation team has removed most of the char, soot and burn marks on the walls from the small fire set by inmates and have applied a fresh coat of paint. The replacement of the individual cell windows (covered by plywood) facing the recreation field was completed last week by MCCC staff, with the help of Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center building maintenance staff who flew over to assist. They also installed new glass windows in the cell doors.

Governor, Maui Mayor, UPW State Director and Public Safety Director go to MCCC on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. PC: Department of Public Safety.

A meeting was held with contractors Thursday, April 4 to discuss the new, security-grade storage room doors which will have to be fabricated and shipped from the mainland. MCCC is also awaiting a shipment from the mainland of replacement furniture for the common area of the module that had the initial disturbance. Individual toilets and sinks in cells, and tier showers were destroyed by the participating inmates. The replacement fixtures were ordered. The facility is awaiting the shipment to arrive from the mainland. Alternate unrestricted toilet access and restricted shower access is being provided every inmate at MCCC.

There are also permanent updates and upgrades in the works. The Department’s CIP staff brought in consultants who did walk-throughs for permanent security solutions to the damaged glass windows, cell doors, modern locking mechanisms and overall electronics system. Cost estimates are as indicated and will be continuously adjusted as work and conditions evolve.