In light of the second anniversary of the death of inmate Greg Silva in our Kauai County facility at KCCC of a meth overdose, there is some good news on the horizon.
In light of the second anniversary of the death of inmate Greg Silva in our Kauai County facility at KCCC of a meth overdose, there is some good news on the horizon.
For one, a 13-member task force was recently formed, chaired by Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Wilson. As it submits its final report, recommendation for an independent commission to oversee our correctional facilities and “shepherd in reforms to the prison system,” are being put forward.
Second, the ACLU of Hawaii has drafted legislation to phase out the present bail system, which they say discriminate against the under-privileged class of people who cannot post bail. Statistics show that recidivism diminishes if an individual is not jailed. Presently, you can sit behind bars for months as you wait for your court case to come up.
Thirdly, our newly elected mayor, Derek Kawakami, has spoken out about drug addiction being a disease that should be treated as such and not treated as a crime. When Mr. Silva overdosed and died on Nov. 21, 2016, in county jail, such a tragedy may have been averted if addiction was monitored and addressed as an illness.
Lastly, as the next legislative sessions convenes I have been assured by a newly elected council member that the protocol for reporting inmate deaths will be performed. Presented restricted to the public safety and next of kin, the legislative body and the governor as well as the public will be informed. This should create a new era of transparency and accountability within the Hawaii prison system.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said an, “Injustice to one is an injustice to all.” Someone else also said, “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled-up.” Let us hope our political body will have the will to reform our broken justice system in this coming legislative session so that Mr. Silva’s untimely death was not in vain. We also hope that justice and answers around this case will bring closure for the Silva family; and that the multitude of complaints leveled at the prison system will be investigated and remedied.
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Blu Dux is a resident of Kalaheo.
Yes indeed Blu Dux, let’s hope!
Although I agree with the basic premise of what you say. I recently have a changed outlook on the “Bail” system. I know of a man who is incarcerated at KCCC due to being unable to post bond. Many family members could easily post the bond for him but the fact is being incarcerated and awaiting trial is probably the best thing for this individual. Many of our youth need the period of incarceration in order to come clean. For someone to overdose in the facility is ridiculous and should be investigated until they get to the bottom of how it transpired