Waiawa Correctional Facility

The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) is a 334-bed, minimum-security prison for sentenced male inmates that is located in Waipahu, Hawaii. WCF provides an environment that helps inmates successfully re-enter the community from prison. All inmates participate in education or substance abuse treatment programs. 

This facility has the KASHBOX program, which is an intensive residential substance abuse treatment program for inmates with serious substance abuse problems.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The Kashbox population visiting hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:45am to 9:45am (entrance cut off time 9:15am). The General population visiting hours are on Saturdays and Sundays between 11:30am to 1:30pm (entrance cut off time 1:00pm).

Visitors are limited to one, one-hour visit per weekend (Saturday/Sunday) not to include holiday visitation. Group visits are limited to three adults per visit. If visitors are documented parents (i.e. proof of birth certificate) of an inmate, they are considered as one visitor and the inmate may have an additional two adult visitors. 

All visitors must have prior visitation approval. Visitors who show up at WCF without visitation approval will be denied entry. It is the inmate’s responsibility to notify visitors of approval/denial. 

Individuals on active parole/probation must obtain in writing, permission to visit. 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. 

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. 

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.

VEHICLE DOCUMENTS 

Upon entrance to WCF, visitors will be required to present a current driver’s license, vehicle insurance card, registration, and safety inspection. Those with an expired driver’s license, vehicle insurance card, registration, or safety stickers will not be allowed to drive the vehicle on the property. 

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 WCF may cause a delay in the processing. 

Mail will 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 based on a “collect call.” Inmates may make local, inter-island, mainland, and international calls. Responsibility for payment rests with the party accepting the call. 

Three-way calls and prepaid phone cards are prohibited. Personal phone times are limited and are subject to being monitored. Phone calls are a privilege that can be revoked. 

Do not call WCF for information, as no information will be provided due to privacy issues. Messages will not be delivered to any inmate. Do not call WCF to speak to an inmate; authorization will not be granted to speak to any inmate. 

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

How to Send Money

Only individuals on an inmate’s approved visitation list are allowed to deposit money into an inmate’s account. Cashier’s checks will only be accepted through the US Post Office and should be mailed directly to the inmate using the mailing address listed above. Cashier’s checks will not be accepted any other way (i.e. drop off at the Main Gate). 

Cashier’s checks must be payable to Waiawa Correctional Facility, and clearly list the sender and inmate’s full name and sender’s complete address. A cashier’s check that is incorrectly sent (i.e. individual not on approved visitation list) will be returned to the sender. 

Inmates are allowed to receive a total of two hundred dollars every month. Family members/friends may not call the Business Office for balances or questions regarding an inmate’s funds. 

The WCF will only provide trust fund information to the inmate. When the senders have concerns regarding a cashier’s check sent to WCF, the sender should address concerns directly with the inmate during the inmate’s phone time, visitation, or correspondence. If the issue is unresolved, the sender may forward a letter of concern to the Business Office for response. 

Programs For Inmates

The WCF has 240 beds that are devoted to KASHBOX, an intensive residential substance abuse treatment program for inmates with serious substance abuse problems.  Supporting Keiki of Incarcerated Parents is a unique pilot program designed to help male inmates with substance abuse issues become better fathers. This program allows the inmate to participate in parenting groups, and structured playgroups and reading activities with their children.

The WCF also provides general education programs, which allows inmates to work towards and associate of arts degree. Also, in-facility worklines such as food service, building maintenance, heavy equipment, farm, janitorial, educational tutoring, and landscaping, help inmates acquire skills, and practice good work habits.

Pictures of Waiawa Correctional Facility

Careers at Waiawa Correctional Facility

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