Inmates and staff say use of synthetic cannabinoids in the state’s largest prison is rampant. The drugs have caused two deaths.

The unidentified inmate was between 70 and 80 years old. His death brings the total number of Covid-19-related Hawaii prisoner fatalities to 10.

U.S. Department of Justice statistics show the state prison system released 30% fewer inmates in 2020 than the year before, the biggest decrease among the states.

The Women’s Prison Project helped introduce 12 bills they say would improve the state’s prison system for women.

The 26-year-old female prisoner warned jail staff she was contemplating suicide, but the facility did not place her on suicide watch.

Corrections officials still aren’t providing a cause of death for 20 of the 23 prisoners who died in Hawaii prisons and jails last year.

Staff report the injured corrections officers were taken to a local emergency room Thursday after they were beaten by inmates.

The state Attorney General’s Office wants to block pandemic lawsuits, including claims filed in cases where prisoners died from Covid-19.

If lawmakers agree, the total sum committed to planning may be $35 million for a lockup the governor believes might eventually cost $1 billion.

After hearing that a new lockup could cost as much as $1 billion, members again ask the state to study alternatives.