Abercrombie considering the return of mainland inmates

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Governor Neil Abercrombie plans to cut down on the number of Hawaii prisoners sent to others states and expand prison space locally.

However, inmates may not be coming home anytime soon.

The state just awarded a new three-year contract to Corrections Corporation of America to house up to 1,900 prisoners from the islands.

CCA operates the Saguaro Correction Center in Arizona which houses many inmates from Hawaii.

Hawaii News Now's sister station in Arizona is reporting that CCA facilities there could be used to house more inmates from Arizona.

"The state of Hawaii just entered into a new contract with CCA following a competitive procurement process there to continue housing inmates here," CCA Director of Public Affairs Steven Owen said. "And the facility they're housed in was designed primarily for Hawaiian inmates. There would be some changing of inmate population to accommodate Arizona should the state choose to partner with CCA."

Governor Abercrombie is reportedly considering reopening Kulani Correctional Facility on the Big Island to house Hawaii inmates currently on the mainland.

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