NCJ Number
65530
Date Published
1979
Length
218 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS ARE PRESENTED FROM A STUDY ASSESSING LOUISIANA JAILS AND LOCAL CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TO DETERMINE THE ROLE PARISHES COULD PLAY IN IMPROVED AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Abstract
PHASE II OF THE LOUISIANA PRISON SYSTEM STUDY IS AIMED AT DEVELOPING SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATURE THAT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE STATE AND LOCAL CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WHICH ADDRESSES CRITICAL NEEDS AT BOTH LEVELS. SPECIFICALLY, THESE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE MANAGING THE RAPID RISE IN STATE AND LOCAL INMATE POPULATIONS, MEETING CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS IMPOSED BY THE COURTS, STABILIZING INCREASES IN CORRECTIONS EXPENDITURES, AND PROVIDING COST-EFFECTIVE PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC WHILE MINIMIZING RISK. AS A RESULT OF A SURVEY OF 16 PARISHES, FINDINGS INDICATE THAT PARISHES ARE CAPABLE OF ASSUMING GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DELIVERY, AND A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY CAN BE DEVELOPED TO INCREASE THE PARISH ROLE. THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE LEGISLATURE APPROVE THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ACT WHICH STRUCTURES THE PROPOSED CHANGE. THE STATE, THE PARISHES, AND THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ACT'S PASSAGE. UNDER ITS TERMS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATING AND ALLOCATING FUNDS, AND A NEWLY ESTABLISHED CORRECTIONS REVIEW BOARD WILL REVIEW AND APPROVE FUNDING REQUESTS AND UPDATE STANDARDS. THE ACT CONSISTS OF THREE MAIN PARTS INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION. FIRST YEAR FUNDING UNDER THE ACT IS ESTIMATED AT $17,685,000. TOTAL SAVINGS TO THE STATE COULD EXCEED $47.7 MILLION BY 1990. PHOTOGRAPHS, TABLES, CHARTS, OVER 80 REFERENCES, AND A TECHNICAL APPENDIX ARE INCLUDED.