OCCC Releases Made Easy 😇

Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) The Easy Way: How to Reunite With Your Loved One Without Wasting an Entire Day Waiting

One of the biggest frustrations in the criminal justice system is waiting all day for a loved one’s release from OCCC. As a bail agent with over 20 years of experience and thousands of bonds under my belt, I've developed solutions to help you avoid the common delays at OCCC. In this guide, I’ll share my best tips on timing, parking, and what to expect for release—so you can avoid spending hours at this frustrating and often disheartening facility.

Location and Parking Tips

OCCC is located at 2199 Kamehameha Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96819. Most locals recognize this street as Dillingham Boulevard. There’s currently a lot of rail construction in the area, and be aware that left turns are now permanently restricted. You’ll need to turn left only at traffic lights, so try not to get too frustrated by the round about way you need to drive. Just focus on picking up your loved one—and then get out of dodge!

I highly recommend you make life easy and just punch the address into Google maps for precision directions.

There are only two entrances to OCCC:

• Staff Entrance (RED ARROW): Reserved for staff and individuals with handicap permits.

• Visitor Parking Lot Entrance (YELLOW ARROW): Located adjacent to the staff entrance, this is where visitors should park.

Staff entrance has it’s own traffic light ⬇️

If you’ve got a handicap permit, I recommend entering through the staff entrance, and parking right here ⬇️:

All other visitors should enter through the visitor parking entrance, located about 15 yards from the main entrance. Here’s what the visitor parking looks like ⬇️:

Below is where all releasees from OCCC exit from. It’s also where bail bonds and cash bail receipts are submitted for processing ⬇️:

Here’s the full view ⬇️:

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in the late afternoon, after 3:30–4:00 PM , you might be able to get away with parking in the staff lot. However, I recommend avoiding confrontations with staff by sticking to the visitor lot during busier hours.

Understanding Release Windows

There are typically two release windows each day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

1. Morning Release Window (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

   • To qualify for this release window, the bail bond must be submitted to OCCC before 9:30 AM.

   • Missing this window could mean waiting until the afternoon for release.

2. Afternoon Release Window (3:15 PM – 6:30 PM)

   • To qualify for this release window, the bail bond typically must be submitted to OCCC before 2:00 PM

Key Takeaway: Partnering with an experienced bail agent who understands the latest changes to the OCCC release schedule is essential to ensuring a smoother, less stressful release process. With the right guidance, you can save valuable time and avoid the anxiety that comes with long, unpredictable wait times

BONUS Release Window – Early Morning

If you’re aiming for an early morning release, before 9:30 AM, A-1 Bail Bonds has found a little known process to accomplish this goal. By filing the bail bond the business day prior and delivering it to OCCC before 6:30 AM the day of your desired release, there’s a chance to secure the rarest release window: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM.

Careful planning is essential to take advantage of this limited early morning release option, but with the right timing, it’s possible to get your loved one out at the start of the day.

Special Note for Clients with Loved Ones on Supervised Release (SR) through the Oahu Intake Service Center (OISC)

For clients whose loved ones are on Supervised Release (SR) through the Oahu Intake Service Center (OISC), it’s important to be aware of potential extended hold times. Certain judges may stack bail bonds with supervised release conditions, which means that if a releasee is placed on supervised release and then posts bail, OCCC may hold them until the OISC opens. The OISC operates Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays, from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.

While most individuals who post bail are released the same day and instructed to report to the OISC at the next available opportunity, some judges may include specific conditions in their SR orders. For example, certain judges require that an ankle monitor be installed before a release is granted. Each order and judge’s requirements vary, so partnering with an experienced bail agent is crucial to ensuring the best possible experience and minimizing delays.

A Typical Timeline at OCCC

Based on my observations, here’s a general outline of OCCC’s daily schedule. Please note that unexpected events (emergency lockdowns, medical emergencies , & staffing shortages) can impact this schedule:

• 5:00 – 6:30 AM: Headcount and shift change (shift officially changes at 6:00 AM)

• 6:30 – 7:00 AM: Breakfast

• 8:00 AM: Court opens

• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Lockdown

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Morning Release Window

• 1:00 – 2:45 PM: Headcount and another shift change (shift officially changes at 2:00 PM)

• 3:30 – 4:00 PM: Dinner

• 3:15 – 6:30 PM: Afternoon Release Window

Additional Tips

• Property Retrieval: The property window closes at 6:00 PM, so make sure your loved one can collect their belongings if released before then.

• Free Bus Fare: Each releasee is fitted with a wristband prior to exit, which provides free bus fare island wide.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your wait time, stress and anxiety levels. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with a release—I’m just a call away!

-Got Bail Nick