Courtesy: Miske family
Mike Miske Killed Himself To Protect $20 Million Estate, Prosecutors Say
The convicted crime boss died of a fentanyl overdose in federal prison in December 2024, before he had been sentenced.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
State Agrees To Settle Lawsuit Over Oʻahu Jail Suicide
Lawyers for the defense and prosecution called the jail to warn that a prisoner was suicidal. Then the inmate hanged himself in a cell.
Screenshot/2025
More Local Food? These State Agencies Aren’t Buying It
Few departments met the official 10% goal last year. While cost, quality and lack of consistent supply are concerns, the current pace doesn’t bode well for the larger push to wean the islands off imported food.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019
String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues
Corrections officials are asking for millions of dollars this year to hire dozens of health care workers to improve mental health services inside.
Courtesy: Naomi Aloy
Hawaiʻi Wrongly Jailed Him For 20 Years. Reparations Came Too Late
Alvin Jardine fought for nearly a decade to be paid under the state’s wrongful conviction compensation law. He died before receiving payment.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2015
State Agrees To Settle Case Over Prison Drug Withdrawal Death
The settlement calls for a $600,000 payment to the estate of Brian Kimo O’Gorman after he suffered heart failure while withdrawing from methadone.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026
Tsunamis, Floods And Not Enough Space: Kauaʻi Is Moving To Replace Its Jail
Officials say the new facility is long overdue so that they can focus on rehabilitating inmates.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Hawaiʻi Is Still Releasing Inmates Without IDs Needed To Reenter Society
Lawmakers have made multiple efforts to improve the process of getting incarcerated people the identification they need to access basic services, but little has changed.
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
When Do Hawaiʻi’s Dying Inmates Deserve ‘Compassionate Release’?
Advocates say we’re the only state without a law requiring release of dying inmates in some circumstances, and will press the Legislature to pass one.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025
The Sunshine Interview: Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission Leaders
Coordinator Christin Johnson and Chair Mark Patterson discuss funding challenges, staffing shortages, safety issues, investigations and rehabilitation at the state’s prisons and jails.