Armed Perimeter Remains at Maui Jail, Mood Has “Calmed”

The Department of Public Safety is releasing initial photos of damage caused by inmates during last week’s riot on Monday, March 11, 2019, at the Maui Community Correctional Center.

Department officials say MCCC continues to staff an armed perimeter as a precaution, but since removing the 21 inmates who were identified by the department as having had “aggressively participated” in Monday’s disturbance, authorities say “the mood and overall atmosphere has calmed.”

Department officials say MCCC maintenance staff are working extended hours to assess the damage and begin the recovery process so the modules can return to normal operation as soon as possible.

Although common areas in the units are unusable, individual cells are fully or partially operational and are being occupied by inmates.

Vendors have been called in this week to make an assessment and provide estimates on restoration from damage in common areas as well as in the cells.

A restoration company was called in over the weekend to assess the fire damage and is expected to submit their estimate this week.

Inmate phones that were destroyed have been restored, according to department officials. Toiletry and hygiene items were purchased to replenish lost supplies.

Inmates have been afforded recreation, restricted to three cells at a time in 1-hour increments, to allow for out of cell time. Medical staff continue to circulate through the modules to make sure all inmates who request a consult are seen.

The disturbance remains under investigation but, “based on the actions by some of the inmates, it has become clear that the motivation behind the disturbance and subsequent unrest appears to be dissatisfaction with conditions related to the extreme overcrowded conditions,” department officials said in a press release today.

Maui Community Correctional Center was built with a design capacity for 209 beds. As of May 31, 2018, MCCC had 399 male inmates and 70 female inmates for a total of 469 inmates.  That’s 56% above its operational capacity of 301 beds.

MCCC Disturbance aftermath (March 2019). PC: Hawai’i Department of Public Safety.

MCCC Disturbance aftermath (March 2019). PC: Hawai’i Department of Public Safety.

MCCC Disturbance aftermath (March 13, 2019). PC: Hawai’i Department of Public Safety.

MCCC Disturbance aftermath (March 2019). PC: Hawai’i Department of Public Safety.

MCCC Disturbance aftermath (March 2019). PC: Hawai’i Department of Public Safety.