Retired Judge Appointed To Prison Oversight Commission
Mike Town, who retired in 2010, was appointed by Senate President Ron Kouchi.
A retired judge was appointed to the state prison oversight commission, the Attorney General’s Office said Thursday.
Senate President Ron Kouchi appointed Mike Town, who retired from the bench in 2010 after serving for more than 30 years as a trial judge, 14 of which was spent as a family court judge and 16 as a Circuit Court judge.
Town is the third appointee to the five-member Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, which was established in July when Gov. David Ige signed into law.
On Tuesday, Civil Beat reported that the commission was off to a slow start, with only two out of five commissioners appointed and no administrator in place.
Town taught family, juvenile and environmental law at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, among other subjects. He also served on the Hawaii judiciary committees on restorative justice and jury innovations, among others.
The retired judge now works as a mediator, arbitrator and coach for Dispute Prevention & Resolution Hawaii.
The two members already appointed to the commission are Mark Patterson, the administrator for the Hawaii Youth Correctional Authority, and retired judge Ronald Ibarra of Hawaii island.
Remaining appointments for the prison oversight commission are expected from the governor and House Speaker.
