Halawa Correctional Facility

Halawa Correctional Facility is a Hawaii state prison for adult male inmates that is separated into two separate facilities: a medium-security division and a special needs division. It was originally opened in 1962 as the City and County Halawa Jail. It is the largest prison in the State of Hawaii correctional system.

Halawa is located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, and it is operated by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. 

The special needs facility houses maximum and closed custody inmatesㄧinmates with severe/chronic mental illness who cannot be placed in the general population, and inmates who require protective custody.

In order to mitigate overcrowding, there are about 1,400 male inmates from HCF that are housed in one out-of-state contracted facility in Arizona.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

VISITATION FOR HALAWA MEDIUM SECURITY FACILITY (HMSF)  

Inmates are authorized one visit per weekend, and each visit shall be up to one hour. The module visit schedule is rotated monthly.  Visit check-in will be at the HMSF Screening Desk. 

MONTH              1st VISIT (7:00am-10:00am)         2nd VISIT (10:45am-1:00pm)

January              Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

February             Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4 

March                 Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

April                    Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4 

May                    Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

June                   Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4 

July                     Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

August               Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4 

September        Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

October             Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4

November        Modules 2 & 4                                  Modules 1 & 3 

December        Modules 1 & 3                                  Modules 2 & 4

VISITATION FOR HALAWA SPECIAL NEEDS FACILITY (SNF)  

Inmates are authorized two visits per weekend, and each visit is 30 minutes. The SNF visit schedule will always remain the same, and visit check-in and screening will be done at the HMSF Screening Desk 

Module A                                                          Module B 

Quad 1 (Up) 12:30pm-1:00pm                      Quad 1 7:00am-7:35am
(Down) 1:05pm-1:35pm                                Quad 2 7:45am-8:10am 

Quad 2 (Up) 1:40pm-2:10pm                       Quad 3 8:15am-8:45am
(Down) 2:15pm-2:45pm 

Quad 3 2:50pm-3:20pm 

Module C 

Quad 1 (Up) 11:20am-11:50am
(Down) 11:55am-12:25pm 

Quad 2 (Up) 8:50am-9:20am
(Down) 9:25am-9:55am 

Quad 3 10:00am-10:30am

Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list. It is the inmate’s responsibility to submit a visitation list for approval. If an individual shows up at HCF, and is not on the inmate’s approved list, the individual will NOT be allowed to visit. 

It’s also the inmate’s responsibility to notify visitors of their approval/denial. Due to the security of HCF, requests for visits will be denied if an inmate has received a disciplinary action within 30 days of the requested visit. 

Visitors are not permitted to visit more than one inmate unless the visitor is a member of the immediate family of more than one inmate is confined in HCF. Immediate family is: mother, father, step-mother, step-father, grandparents, brothers, sisters, step-brothers, step sisters, spouse, and inmate’s children. 

Individuals on active probation must obtain in writing, permission to visit. No Parolees are allowed visitation. No former inmates will be allowed to visit unless prior written approval is granted from the Warden or the Warden’s designee. 

Former inmates must be off supervision and have the recommendation of their supervising agent. Even if the supervising agent recommends the visit, it must still be approved in advance by the Warden and will be limited to immediate family members. 

Former inmates who were victims of the crime or convicted as part of the crime, will not be allowed to visit. Any rules that the PSD has regarding visits of this type will also apply and approval will be required. 

Visitors must present a photo ID if age 13 or older. Non-picture ID shall suffice for visitors under the age of 13. Visitors may be required to provide a marriage license or birth certificate when requested, if a minor has a different last name from the inmate. 

Eligible inmates shall be authorized two adult approved visitors. The maximum number of visitors, counting approved children, shall not exceed five. A married couple shall be counted as two allowable visitors. There shall be no replacement of visitors once the allowable limit is allowed access. 

Introduction of contraband into HCF is not allowed. Visitors who introduce contraband into HCF shall be barred from the HCF and may face possible arrest and criminal prosecution. 

NO items of any kind are permitted to be introduced or passed between visitors/inmates. Cell phones and cameras are considered contraband and will not be allowed into HCF. No weapons, ammo, alcoholic beverages/containers are allowed in vehicles. 

Individuals smelling of alcoholic beverages or having drugs/alcoholic beverage on their person, will not be allowed to visit or enter the visiting area. Local law enforcement will be notified in such instances. 

Lockers are available to secure personal belongings and valuables before visiting. Visitors need to provide their own combination lock for the locker. All lockers need to be vacated after visits. Any locks left after visits will be removed at the lock owners’ expense. 

Personal belongings and valuables shall not be left unattended in the visit lobby or on the visit lanai. HCF shall not be held responsible for loss or damage to property.

Visitors are subject to searches (i.e. IONSCAN Narcotics Detection, frisk/pat or strip search) based on reasonable suspicion and with consent. Any visitors refusing to consent to be searched will be denied entry and the Watch Captain notified immediately. 

Visits are contingent upon adequate available manpower. To be apprised if visits will be held as scheduled, visitors can call the visitor hotline at (808)485-5298, after 6:30am on that particular day.

VISITOR DRESS CODE 

Visitors will dress in a neat, appropriate, and conservative manner which is not unduly, provocative, suggestive, or revealing, and does not resemble inmate attire or present adornments which could be used as a weapon, or any clothing deemed inappropriate by staff. Medical alert bracelets, ID tags, and medical-approved eyewear are permitted. 

Female visitors will inform the female Search ACO of their menstrual period. Visitors shall be required to remove and change sanitary supplies in the presence of a female ACO. The used sanitary supplies will be discarded and replaced with new supplies. It is the visitor’s responsibility to provide sanitary supplies for the change. 

All female visitors age 13 and above will abide by the following dress code:

• Undergarments (i.e. panties, bras, slips, boxers, briefs) must be worn, No bras without straps, no underwire or athletic bras. Pantyhose are not considered an undergarment.
• Dresses and Muumuus -Must not be shorter than two inches above the kneecap when seated, must not have slits that rise higher than the kneecap when seated, no false pockets, and must be worn with slips  
• Blouses and Tops -Must not be tucked into pants/jeans -Must have at least three inches overlap over the bottom garment (i.e. skirts, pants) -Must have sleeves -Must appropriately conceal shoulder, midriff, back, and cleavage (no sweaters or jackets, or other clothing shall be used to conceal prohibited attire) -Must have shoulder straps that are 2½ inches wide, or wider (no strapless, spaghetti straps, sleeveless clothing, halter-top, crop top, low cleavage tops, plunging necklines, tube tops or bathing suits)
• Pants and Trousers -No cuffs -No false pockets -No form-fitting, skin-tight, or see-through (no aerobic, spandex-type material) -Must be comfortable and loose, but ensuring that it does not slip off - Must be standard length, down to the ankle -No shorts or capris  
• Footwear -Must wear slippers, sandals, or shoes -No bare feet -No all-solid, black-colored rubber slippers, zoris, or flip-flops.

PROHIBITED CLOTHING & ITEMS FOR FEMALE/MALE ADULT VISITORS:  

• No hats, caps, curlers, ponytails, buns, ribbons, headbands, beads, braids, dreadlocks, curlers, scrunchies, clips, hair comb, hair picks, binders, stickpins, leis, flower, hair ornaments, bandanas, wigs, toupees, hair extensions (elastic rubber bands are only allowed to hold hair up)  
• No bathing suits or lava lavas  
• No sunglasses  
• No jewelry  
• No printed “T” or polo shirts which display profanity, sexual symbols or facsimiles, symbols relating to drugs, gangs, narcotics, or slogans which are indicative of racial prejudices or violence, etc.  
• No handbags (i.e. purses, wallets)  
• No padded clothing  
• No coveralls  
• No lined-sweaters, jackets, and padded or hooded clothing 

DRESS CODE FOR CHILDREN (under the age of 13) 

Children will be appropriately attired. Undergarments and footwear will be worn. A shirt, t-shirt, or blouse worn with pants/trousers is allowed. Girls may wear muumuus or dresses. A minor female visitor, who is mature or maturing, will abide by the, “Dress Code for Female Adults.” 

VISITORS WITH INFANTS OR BABIES 

Diapers worn by infants or babies will be removed and changed in the presence of the screening ACO. The used diaper will be discarded and replaced with a clean diaper. It is the visitor’s responsibility to bring a clean diaper for the change. 

Baby food, pacifiers, and baby carriers are strictly prohibited. Breast-feeding is not allowed. The following items are authorized into the visit area: one extra diaper, one plastic bottle of liquid (which shall be opened and checked), and one unlined, non-quilted, unpadded blanket.

There is no limit on the amount of correspondence an inmate receives. Books, magazines, food items, etc. may not be sent to an inmate.

All correspondence must go through approved channels. Staff monitors incoming/outgoing mail. Any suspicious mail that appears to cause a threat to the safety and security of HCF may cause a delay in the processing. 

Mail shall be returned for the following reasons: first/last name and return address not listed, envelope has stickers, ink stamps, glitter, glue, drawings, bookmarks, lipstick/kiss marks, or inappropriate content (i.e. pornography, threatening remarks).

How to Call an Inmate

During assigned times, inmates have access to a phone to make local, inter-island, mainland, and international calls. Pay options include collect, prepaid, and debit calls. Payment is the responsibility of the inmate and party accepting the call. 

All personal inmate telephone calls, with the exception of identified privileged/legal calls, are subject to monitoring and recording. Three-way calls are not allowed and may automatically be disconnected resulting in a misconduct for the inmate initiating the call. Phone calls are a privilege and can be revoked at any time.

For complete details on how to call an inmate in Hawaii, please click here.

How to Send Money

Only cashier’s checks/official bank drafts are allowed for deposit via inmate mail. Cashier’s checks/official bank drafts must be made payable to Halawa Correctional Facility, listing the inmate’s name in the memo area and the sender’s full name and address anywhere on the face of the check/official bank draft. 

Depositors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list to make a monetary deposit. Monetary deposits are limited to $250.00/month. Personal checks, money orders, and cash are not allowed. 

Rejected monetary donations are returned to the sender with a letter of explanation and contact information. HCF does not provide cashier’s services. All monetary deposits shall be conducted by mail only.

Programs For Inmates

Among the programs offered at HCF are a broad range of education classes, substance abuse treatment, and sex offender treatment services. In-facility work line positionsㄧas well as work opportunities through Correctional Industriesㄧare also available.

Pictures of Halawa Correctional Facility

Careers at Halawa Correctional Facility

Halawa Correctional Facility is run by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. If you are interested in a job at Halawa Correctional Facility, click here.