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Joint Statement by Community Alliance on Prisons and the ACLU of Hawai'i Calls Upon Community to Press Governor and Department of Public Safety to Mount a Thorough and Independent Investigation of Growing Scandal at Brush Prison in Colorado
March 24, 2005

Honolulu - The growing scandal at the Brush Correctional Facility holding women inmates from Hawai'i requires an immediate, independent and thorough investigation. In the latest development, we have learned today that Hawai'i inmates are being denied phone calls to their attorney.

In addition, we understand that five Hawai'i inmates, along with inmates from other states, have been charged with bringing cigarettes into Brush prison, a non-smoking facility privately run by the GRW Corporation. The charge raises suspicion since Hawai'i inmates incarcerated on the mainland get few visits because of the high travel cost for families.

Also, it is our understanding that Hawai'i inmates are being treated differently and more severely than other inmates who received the same charge. Hawai'i inmates are in punitive segregation, a more severe deprivation, while other non-Hawai'i inmates who were charged received an administrative punishment. We are aware that several Hawai'i inmates have been charged with a Felony 6. A web search revealed that, under Colorado law, a Felony 6 charge includes stalking.

Two of the Hawai'i women have court dates in April but since they are in punitive segregation where they are denied personal belongings, they cannot make phone calls. They have been told that they cannot call their lawyer without permission of the Hawai'i Department of Public Safety (PSD) and they have not been able to reach the DPS. One of the inmates has a court date next week and has an attorney, but has not been allowed to contact him unless Hawai'i PSD Contract Monitor, Howard Komori, authorizes it. Komori has not responded to her written requests for help. The other inmate has a court date of April 12th but has no attorney and the denial of a phone call to obtain help creates a huge barrier to get basic legal representation.

We have been told that Hawai'i inmates are afraid and feel that they are being retaliated against because of the lawsuit filed by two other Hawai'i women inmates regarding the alleged sexual assaults by prison staff.

We are very concerned about the level of safety in the facility for the inmates being held there and, in particular, for the Hawai'i inmates. The disparities in treatment and retaliation being brought to our attention must be immediately and thoroughly addressed.

The Hawai'i ACLU and Community Alliance on Prisons calls on the Governor to push for a thorough and independent investigation of the unsettling developments at the prison.

We further demand that the inmates be immediately allowed their legal right to contact their attorney.

We also call upon the community to urge the Governor to act by contacting the Governor's at phone 586-0034 (O`ahu) or e-mail Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov

Sadly, we can expect more of these problems to occur the more Hawai'i insists on transferring inmates and millions of dollars out of state and into privatized prisons.


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