Ruth Coller Forbes has been hired as the new warden for the Kulani Correctional Facility.
Forbes had most recently worked as a corrections supervisor for Hawaii Community Correctional Center. She will be responsible for overseeing the minimum-security prison and getting it ready for reopening July 1.
“I’m excited for this opportunity, not only to grow in my career but to be a part of the reopening of the Kulani Correctional Facility, because I was around when it closed,” Forbes said. “So I do know the impact it had on the community and the staff and the inmates.”
Forbes is currently working out of an office at HCCC, but state Deputy Director for Corrections Max Otani said in a written statement that she “will be jumping right into her role as warden.”
“The priority in the next six months, as we prepare for the official reopening of Kulani, will be to hire all the staff, establish and test operational policies and procedures, and organize the purchase of equipment and supplies,” Otani said.
Kulani, which closed in 2009 because of budget cutbacks, will have 96 full-time staff positions, and will house about 200 low-risk inmates.
“We’ll be hiring new staff as well as bringing back former Kulani employees,” Forbes said. “They were given the option to return to the facility in their previous positions. I’m not quite sure how many of them chose that option.”
The Hawaii Youth ChalleNGe Academy is currently using the facility and it will be relocated. Before it reopens, the prison will also get new kitchen equipment and undergo minor repairs. Electrical upgrades are underway.
“There are challenges. We do have a timeline we have to meet,” Forbes said. “But I’m certain … we’ll be ready to have the facility ready to open in July.”
DPS Director Ted Sakai said in a statement that Forbes has a “broad knowledge of corrections and management.”
“I am confident Kulani will benefit from her leadership and experience,” he said.
Forbes has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Chaminade University.
She started working at DPS in 1995 as an adult corrections officer at the Women’s Community Correctional Center. From 1998 to 2000, she worked as a human services professional at Hawaii Intake Service Center. She worked at HCCC at the same position from until January 2006 when she was promoted to corrections supervisor.
“I think it will have a big impact on the community and not only the community-at-large but also for the inmates that will be returning home to the islands,” Forbes said. “For them, it’s really important to be close to their families. And also, it has a big impact for hiring … as it provides employment opportunities for people in the community.”
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com and John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.