Our Prison Ministries – Nā Paʻahao (“the prisoners”) takes seriously the call of the Gospel to visit the prisoner and set the captives free (Matthew 25:36; Luke 4:18). We believe that people who are incarcerated, and those coming home, belong to our community and deserve dignity, hope, and a real path to restoration. This ministry advocates for prison and criminal justice reform. It also supports in-prison and reentry programs that offer pastoral care, cultural grounding, mentoring, and practical help. We do this work with the Diocesan Prison Ministry Project, the Native Hawaiian Church, the Pacific Justice & Reconciliation Center, Ke Ola Mamo, and other community partners. Together we work toward ola (life and healing) and pono (right relationship) for individuals, families, and the whole community.
Resources
The Disparate Treatment of Native Hawaiians in the Criminal Justice System
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), 2010 report
Hawaiʻi Justice Reinvestment Legislation, 2012
Summary of the 2012 prison reform law (Act 139) from the CSG Justice Center
