As the sun sets in Eloy, Arizona you can hear the sounds of Red rock prison.

Here clanking doors are a familiar sound, but inside something unexpected.

Dozens of Hawaii inmates are practicing song and dance, hoping to find redemption in their ancient culture. About 100 island prisoners meet for an hour on Fridays, under the guidance of a church chaplain.

"This class--and this experience--brings us together," said Inmate William Barns. "It gets rid of the division and makes us all be brothers."

"Our culture--my religious side--keeps me home," said Inmate Eric "Kalani" Vance. "It keeps me free."

A "free" is something Vance is not.

"I have a life sentence with the possibility of parole," Vance said.

On the streets, Vance was a career criminal. After more than 40 arrests-- from car theft to prostitution-- Christmas Eve of 2000, he robbed Angie's Market in Kaneohe. He shot the owner in the head and left his body in a Waimanalo dumpster.

Three months later, he tried to escape from OCCC, getting over the razor wire by protecting his hands with slippers. But Vance was busted on the other side.

Now, seven years into his sentence, he's in Red Rock teaching hula.

"They give us an hour a day to practice in the recreation yard," Vance said.

After celebrating King Kamehameha Day, these inmates are now preparing for Makahiki-- the Hawaiian New Year.

Community activists said cultural programs are important for inmate rehabilitation.

"Many people might say that you are in here because you broke the white man's laws but if you think about it, many of you might be here because you broke the sacred laws of your tapuna," said Carrie Ann Shirota, speaking to the inmates.

Back in Hawaii, Shirota helps criminals re-enter society. She flew all the way from Maui to bring hope.

"No matter how crooked your past may have been, today is a new day," said Shirota. "Look forward, keep moving forward, and keep walking ke ala pono-- the path of righteousness."

Red Rock prison incarcerates 500 Hawaii inmates. Saguaro, next door, is home to even more. Both facilities are also trying to bring local flavor into the daily routine.

"We have pork on the menu...we serve fresh whole mussel fish once a week," said the warden of Saguaro, Daren Swenson, "We also have a rice bar, and believe it or not, the inmates are very interested in spam, so we have spam and eggs for breakfast one day a week."

Inmates at Saguoro eat 4,700 lbs. of rice a week! It's a taste of Hawaii, but nothing like the real thing.

"Would you rather be back in Hawaii?," asked KGMB9 Reporter Sabrina Hall.

"You are right," said Inmate Emelito Aguinaldo. "I'd rather be back home with my family...close to them."

And that's the wish Shirota has, even for Vance, to keep them closer to home.

Each year, lawmakers try to pass legislation to build a new prison in Hawaii. Each year, those bills fail. Despite prison overcrowding, communities said they don't want a prison in their backyard.

Part 1: Lawmakers Take Tour of Arizona Prisons
Behind the Walls - Prison Tour; KGMB9.com Extra

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