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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 655
BY REPRESENTATIVE BALDONE
JUVENILES: Creates a pilot program in Terrebonne Parish relative to juvenile services
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 15:1108, relative to juveniles; to create a pilot program in Terrebonne Parish;2
to provide with respect to juvenile services and programs; to authorize the use of3
cooperative endeavor agreements; and to provide for related matters.4
Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published5
as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of6
Louisiana.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 15:1108 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 9
SUBPART L. TERREBONNE PARISH JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER10
ยง1108. Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center; pilot program11
A. The Louisiana Legislature recognizes the need for intervention in the12
lives of juvenile offenders to provide them with the opportunity to lead successful13
and productive lives. The legislature also recognizes the need to emphasize the14
rehabilitation of juvenile offenders in small community-based facilities as an15
alternative to the juvenile's incarceration in large penitentiary-style settings. To this16
end, the legislature hereby finds it necessary that each juvenile be placed in the least17
restrictive placement most appropriate to his individual needs and consistent with the18
circumstances of the case, the protection of society's best interests, and the safety of19
the public within the state. Furthermore, to enable each juvenile to fulfill his needs20 HLS 10RS-917 ORIGINAL
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in a responsible manner within the context of and with respect for the needs of the1
family and community, it is necessary to implement a system providing effective and2
efficient individualized, rehabilitative, and educational services, in collaboration with3
community partners, allowing each juvenile to obtain the care, guidance, and4
discipline he needs while physically remaining in his community. Statistics have5
shown that states adopting dormitory-style, community-based model of juvenile6
justice services, including but not limited to the "Missouri Model", are spending less7
money while experiencing decreased rates of recidivism and an increasing number8
of successful outcomes for juveniles who have completed the program. These9
methods and approaches stress rehabilitation over incarceration and punishment and10
are fitting goals for Louisiana to embrace in providing assistance to one of the most11
easily influenced and vulnerable segments of our society.12
B. The legislature hereby requires the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated13
Government, in the construction and renovation of its physical juvenile system, to14
utilize and comply with all uniform standards and licensing procedures developed15
and recommended by the state entity created pursuant to R.S. 46:2757. As an16
alternative to the construction and renovation of one large penitentiary-style17
detention facility, the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government shall engage in18
construction and renovation which focuses more on a small, multi-facility system19
closer in proximity to the juvenile's home and community. The Terrebonne Parish20
Consolidated Government shall implement this juvenile system with a focus on long-21
term rehabilitation and education of juveniles by providing programs conducive to22
their personal growth and learning. Such programs shall include but are not limited23
to the following areas: continuing-education programs, GED programs, vocational24
training, life-skills training, anger-management, conflict-resolution, substance abuse25
treatment and counseling, and substance abuse prevention. To this end, the26
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government is hereby authorized to enter into27
cooperative endeavor agreements or contracts with any department or agency of the28
state or federal government, any nonprofit organization, any public or private service29 HLS 10RS-917 ORIGINAL
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provider, any local school, and any community-based organization which the1
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government determines to be capable of providing2
the services required by the provisions of this Section.3
C. The legislature hereby authorizes judges, to the extent that it does not4
conflict with other provisions of law, to impose a sentence commensurate with the5
goals of this Section, with a focus on the rehabilitative, educational, and disciplinary6
needs of the individual child rather than focusing on isolation, confinement, and7
punishment.8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Baldone HB No. 655
Abstract: Creates a pilot program in Terrebonne Parish relative to juvenile detention.
Proposed law creates a pilot program in Terrebonne Parish relative to juvenile detention.
Proposed law provides for legislative intent.
Proposed law provides for the use of cooperative endeavor agreements with federal and state
agencies and other organizations to provide juvenile services aimed at rehabilitation.
(Adds R.S. 15:1108)