HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii's largest prison will be getting a replacement fire sprinkler system as part of a $6.3 million project.
Gov. Linda Lingle recently released $5.6 million for the design and construction of fire and life safety code improvements the Halawa Correctional Facility, her office said Monday.
More than $700,000 was previously allotted for the project, which also includes dry standpipes, alarms, emergency lights, and smoke evacuation systems and exhausts.
''It is important we maintain this facility and ensure that staff and inmates are safe in the event of a fire,'' Lingle said.
The prison that opened in 1987 has a capacity of 1,124 inmates. The facility doesn't have needed fire safety sprinklers and supporting infrastructure, the governor's office said.
''Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of the inmates in our custody, and the upgrading and installing of this fire sprinkler system in the Halawa Correctional Facility helps us accomplish that priority,'' said Frank Lopez, interim Director of the Department of Public Safety.
The one-year project is to begin in January.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
