Prisons

Mike Miske Killed Himself To Protect $20 Million Estate, Prosecutors Say 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.

State Agrees To Settle Lawsuit Over Oʻahu Jail Suicide 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.

More Local Food? These State Agencies Aren’t Buying It 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.

String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues 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.

Hawaiʻi Wrongly Jailed Him For 20 Years. Reparations Came Too Late 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.

State Agrees To Settle Case Over Prison Drug Withdrawal Death 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.

Tsunamis, Floods And Not Enough Space: Kauaʻi Is Moving To Replace Its Jail 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.

Hawaiʻi Is Still Releasing Inmates Without IDs Needed To Reenter Society 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.

When Do Hawaiʻi’s Dying Inmates Deserve ‘Compassionate Release’? 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.

The Sunshine Interview: Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission Leaders 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.