On Thursday, Louisiana Officials shared that following the first year of the state’s criminal justice reform La. has seen a decrease in the state’s prison population, prison admission, and probation and parole caseloads.
Governor John Bel Edwards also reported that the historic criminal justice reform has saved the state more than it had initially expected.
According to Louisiana’s Justice Reinvestment Reforms First Annual Performance Report, the state has seen a 20 percent decrease in the number of people imprisoned for nonviolent crimes and a 42 percent decrease in those sent to prison for drug possession. The report also explains that the number of people under community supervision by probation and parole officers has also dropped about nine percent overall.
During a news conference on Thursday, Gov. Edwards said, “This is an exciting day for our state. We’re announcing, really, the beginning of the progress we’re going to make because of the decision we made over a year ago.”
According to The Advocate, “Louisiana dropped this month from holding the first place spot to second place behind Oklahoma for the highest rate of prisoners per capita per $100,000.” Gov. Edwards credited the 10-bill bipartisan package, which was meant to reduce the prison population and addressing criminal justice issues, with that success.
Gov. Edwards said, “Shedding that title is just the beginning. This is about making the people of Louisiana safer.”
The performance report does not detail the savings officials say. However, Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc reported last week that savings total about $14 million, which is $8 million more than what had been predicted. The Advocate reported that DOC Undersecretary Thomas Bickham, during a public meeting last week, shared that it is still unclear if the entire $14 million will be available for reinvestment as mandated by the reforms.
According to Bickham, there remains a gap of about $6 million between actual cash and savings and supplemental savings, which includes money that the department historically has had to request late in the fiscal year. However, with the decrease in prisoner population, The Advocate reported “the department did not request supplemental funds, though Bickham said those savings should still be included in reinvestment calculations.”
A total of 70 percent of savings from the criminal justice reform is dedicated to public safety measure, which will focus on reducing the rate of recidivism, or repeat offenders, and supporting offenders before released from prison. The savings are also meant to be used to assist offenders throughout their reentry into society and to support victims of crime.
The reform bill mandates that savings be divided three ways, which include awarding 30 percent in grants to community reentry services and prison alternatives, 20 percent to support victim services, and 50 percent to remain within DOC for the purpose of offering programs to inmates.
According to The Advocate, 20 percent of the savings from the second year will go to the Office of Juvenile Justice.
As of Thursday, the state prison population had dipped below 33,000, which is the lowest number in 20 years.
DOC Secretary LeBlanc said, “We are beginning to see the fruits of out labor. It isn’t easy, but it’s sure worth it.”
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By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor