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Editor’s note: The writer is an employee of the state Department of Public Safety. But the opinions expressed here are his own, and do not represent the official position of the department.

The Obama administration’s recently announced sweeping recommendations for improving the criminal justice system have focused on sentencing reforms, abolishing solitary confinement, dealing with mental health issues and reducing mass incarceration.

President Obama’s agenda comes at the end of two terms and in the middle of a presidential election year. Although it is a start and the effort is there, it may be too little and much too late.

With the possible exception of the election of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders — his “pie in the sky” social reform proposals and radical recommendations on the reconstruction of American society are quite optimistic — I do not expect much actual change coming to our national prison system.

Hawaii, on the other hand, under the leadership of Gov. David Ige, has in one year made positive changes in sentencing, inmate rights/privileges and community corrections.

In October of last year, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed legislation to reform federal sentencing laws, particularly for drug offenders. That sentencing reform can begin to address the over-incarceration that has devastated poor and minority communities in places like Hawaii.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Nolan Espinda, has somehow managed to run visiting privileges for inmates at all facilities without one cancellation within the last year. In the past, these visiting privileges were plagued with cancellations due to staffing shortages, and Espinda has implemented an aggressive recruiting campaign in an effort to address such shortages at all of Hawaii’s correctional facilities. This has allowed for the introduction of rehabilitative programs, educational classes, and religious services to flourish.

Another positive change to Hawaii’s reformation comes in the form of Judge Steven Alm’s brainchild, the HOPE Probation Program, which has kept prison overcrowding at bay. In addition, despite minor setbacks, the Laumaka Work Furlough Center continues to provide transition support, which gives inmates with the opportunity to work and live in a community correctional setting.

These collaborative efforts by the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government have approached the question of prison reform not by leaps and bounds but by dealing with issues on a practical day-to-day basis. Thus far, they’ve been successful.

The main issue facing prison reform is whether to make it a priority to offer rehabilitative services. Penologists argue that effective rehabilitation programs are the key to success from any correctional system. Offering much-needed rehabilitative programs within the walls of each prison facility mitigates some of the problems individuals eventually face in social reintegration and also diminishes recidivism.

Although Hawaii is a small state with a real lack of gainful employment, we have the ability to work with one another and achieve harmony through community interaction. Our criminal justice system is not plagued by the level of racial disparity and discrimination as other states. This state’s administration initiatives and efforts have begun to realize the goals of 21st century prison reform.

Hawaii is at the forefront of prison reformation and can be the inspiration for the nation.