Rep. Gabbard Visits Overcrowded Maui Community Correctional Center

On Maui today, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard toured the Maui Community Correctional Center as she continues this week’s focus on reforming the criminal justice system and visiting Hawaiʻi correctional facilities.

She also met with Maui Economic Opportunity caseworkers who assist the inmates as they reintegrate into the community.  The congresswoman heard about the programs being offered there and spent time with many of the incarcerated men and women.

She also saw firsthand the problems and challenges at MCCC, foremost of which is the dilapidated facilities and extreme overcrowding. Rep. Gabbard said she was especially moved by the positive stories shared by those participating in the Maui Drug Court Program.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard visited the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility and the Women’s Community Correctional Center on Oʻahu earlier this week, and will be at the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Facility tomorrow morning.

She has long advocated for what she calls “common sense criminal justice reform legislation” and has been a vocal advocate supporting state programs like Drug Courts, Veteran Courts, Hawaiʻi Opportunity Probation with Enforcement, and the State Juvenile Justice Hoʻopono Mamo Civil Citation Initiative.

Also while on Maui, Rep. Gabbard attended the kick-off and blessing for Pacific Biodiesel’s biofuel sunflower crop, where she delivered opening remarks about the importance of diversified agriculture, protecting our environment, and creating local jobs. She met with the project’s leaders and farmers, and planted seeds as part of the blessing ceremony.

While on the Valley Isle today, the congresswoman also participated in an AARP roundtable discussion with Maui members, volunteers, and others from the community to discuss federal issues that impact seniors and how to better serve kūpuna on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

Tomorrow, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will be hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” in Waiʻanae to talk story, hear from Oʻahu constituents about their ideas and concerns, and share how her office can assist families with federal issues like veteran services, immigration, social security, Medicare, and more.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard toured the Maui Community Correctional Center as part of her ongoing focus on reforming the criminal justice system. Courtesy photo.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard toured the Maui Community Correctional Center as part of her ongoing focus on reforming the criminal justice system. Courtesy photo.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard toured the Maui Community Correctional Center as part of her ongoing focus on reforming the criminal justice system. Courtesy photo.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard toured the Maui Community Correctional Center as part of her ongoing focus on reforming the criminal justice system. Courtesy photo.

As part of the ceremony to bless the biofuel crop project, each attendee planted a sunflower seed on the 115 acre site located in central Maui. Courtesy photo.

Kimokeo Kapahulehua greeted Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during the blessing, which marked the beginning of the largest biofuel crop project in Hawaiʻi. Courtesy photo.