The Lived Experience of Native Hawaiians Exiting Prison and Reentering the Community: How Do You Really Decriminalize Someone Who’s Consistently Being Called a Criminal?

Abstract

The overrepresentation of Native Hawaiians in Hawai‘i’s criminal justice system is among the most stunning of ethnic/racial disparities in the state. To describe the human impact of Native Hawaiians involvement in the criminal justice system, the authors interviewed persons with criminal histories, correctional officials, social workers, and others. Findings reveal systemic challenges to prison exit and community reentry, including lack of services stipulated for release and upon reentry, marginalization associated with cultural trauma, resource deficits, and stigma. The National Association of Social Workers encourages social work leadership in policy formulation and service development. Suggested are strategies for influencing community attitudes, program access, and culturally-grounded services.

“We All Have Power”: Using Photovoice to Document Challenges and Strengths of Lakota Women With Histories of Incarceration

“…Their challenges are exacerbated by complex trauma, grief, and loss as well as systemic racism and classism. These findings add to the small body of existing literature on challenges that Indigenous women with histories of incarceration experience as they seek to reintegrate into society (Ka'Opua et al, 2012) the first ever study, to our knowledge, specific to Lakota women in SD, a state with one of the highest incarceration rates of women in the U.S. (Monazzam & Budd, 2022). Despite myriad challenges, women also identified a number of strengths that they, and other women with similar lived experiences, possessed.…”

“…Her account highlights the limitations of prison programming to effectively prepare prisoners for the outside world, feelings of isolation and disconnection from her tribal community following release, limited access to legal resources and adequate legal representation, difficulty adjusting to life with her immediate family members, and experiencing racial harassment (Ross et al, 2010). In a study of persons with criminal histories, correctional officials, and social workers, results from interviews documented that Native Hawaiians face myriad challenges to reentry including lack of services and resources, marginalization associated with cultural trauma, and stigma (Ka'Opua et al, 2012).…”

“I Need to Get My Culture Back”: Youth and Provider Perspectives on Integrating Culturally Based Approaches into Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Youth Experiencing Homelessness

“…Examples include Kupu, an environmental and cultural stewardship program for young Native Hawaiian adults (Kupu Hawaii, 2022 ), and many other culturally based programs addressing various community issues (Chung-Do et al, 2019 ). The most notable example is the integration of cultural practices into courses offered in jails and prisons housing Native Hawaiians, which began in the early 2000s (Chock, 2022 ; Ka‘opua et al, 2012 ). Native Hawaiians are also disproportionately affected by carceral systems (Ka‘opua et al, 2012 ).…”

“…The most notable example is the integration of cultural practices into courses offered in jails and prisons housing Native Hawaiians, which began in the early 2000s (Chock, 2022 ; Ka‘opua et al, 2012 ). Native Hawaiians are also disproportionately affected by carceral systems (Ka‘opua et al, 2012 ). Culture-based programs have been found to prevent and control chronic diseases (Browne et al, 2017 ; Dickerson et al, 2012 ; Mokuau et al, 2012 ).…”