UPDATED (4 p.m. on 7/11/2016)

Partial power restored to OCCC

HONOLULU – Partial power has been restored to sections of the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC). Electricity was restored to most areas of the facility by 1:30 p.m. Electrical contractors are continuing to work on a couple of sections that are still on the back-up generator.

An additional generator is being brought in this evening to power the air conditioning for the entire facility until full power can be brought back online.

Electrical contractors are still trying to determine what caused the initial power outage at the facility. The electrical outage began on Friday afternoon. Back-up generators kicked in immediately. All modules were secured during the power outage. In order to help alleviate the uncomfortable conditions, staff allowed inmates to have longer recreational periods in the outside recreation yard.

“The health and wellbeing of our staff as well as the inmates are priorities that we take seriously. That is why we have been looking into alternatives to cool down the modules and help alleviate the heat as we figure out what caused the electrical outage,” said Nolan Espinda, Public Safety Director. “It is no secret that our facility is old. These kinds of problems will continue to happen until we can replace OCCC. The Legislature recognized this issue during the past session and we are hopeful to continue working on redeveloping OCCC as soon as possible”.

There are currently 1,162 inmates at OCCC. Bed capacity is 954. The current structure was built in 1975.

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) is working with various local electrical contractors to locate and fix a power supply problem that is affecting the facility. The electrical outage began on Friday afternoon. Back-up generators kicked in immediately. All modules are secure. The air conditioning is not hooked into the generator system.

“Our correctional staff are trained for situations such as these. Despite the uncomfortable conditions, they are doing an excellent job providing a safe and secure environment for staff as well as inmates, and at no time has there been any risk to public safety,” said Nolan Espinda, Public Safety Director.

In order to help alleviate the uncomfortable conditions, staff have been allowing inmates to have longer recreational periods in the outside rec yard. They are also looking at alternative ways to cool down the modules while the electricity problem is being assessed.