HLS 10RS-2868 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 172
BY REPRESENTATIVE BURRELL
CORRECTIONS: To study the feasibility of creating a central statewide computer system
that would allow exchange of data between state agencies for the purpose of
coordinating reentry services
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To authorize and request the Reentry Advisory Council within the Department of Public2
Safety and Corrections to evaluate the feasibility of developing a central statewide3
computer system to improve collaboration and coordination of offender transition4
services, including cross-agency training and information-sharing, to improve5
outcomes for reentry initiatives and to report its findings to the Legislature of6
Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session. 7
WHEREAS, according to a recent study by the PEW Center on the States, Louisiana8
has the highest incarceration rate in the United States; and9
WHEREAS, the mission of incarceration in the criminal justice system is to enhance10
public safety through the safe and secure incarceration of offenders, effective probation and11
parole supervision, and proven rehabilitative strategies that successfully reintegrate12
offenders into society, as well as assisting individuals and communities victimized by crime;13
and14
WHEREAS, successful offender reentry and reintegration into the community is a15
matter of critical importance to the public's safety, but reentry is often unsuccessful due to16
the barriers ex-offenders face including a lack of education and job skills, employment17
prohibition in selected occupations, mental health and substance abuse issues, access to valid18
identification documents, child support enforcement regulations, access to public housing19
and other public benefits, and strained or fragile family and community ties; and20 HLS 10RS-2868 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 172
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the ability of ex-offenders to obtain employment after incarceration and1
to become productive members of their communities is essential to reducing recidivism2
rates; however, successfully finding employment is often difficult due to the reluctance of3
many employers to hire individuals with criminal backgrounds; and4
WHEREAS, offender reentry is a crime prevention strategy, which serves to reduce5
crime and the number of crime victims and ultimately ensures opportunities for safer6
communities; and 7
WHEREAS, successful reentry is also a cost-savings measure which results in8
savings to state and local criminal justice systems; and9
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana has created a Reentry Advisory Council10
to assist the efforts of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections in developing the11
most comprehensive and effective reentry programs; and12
WHEREAS, the Reentry Advisory Council is charged with identifying methods to13
improve collaboration and coordination of offender transition services, including cross-14
agency training and information-sharing that will improve outcomes for offenders; and15
WHEREAS, the Reentry Advisory Council is further charged with establishing a16
means to share data, research, and measurement resources in relation to reentry initiatives17
with relevant agencies.18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby19
authorize and request that the Reentry Advisory Council within the Department of Public20
Safety and Corrections evaluate the feasibility of developing a statewide central computer21
system to improve collaboration and coordination of offender transition services, including22
cross-agency training and information-sharing, to improve outcomes for reentry initiatives23
and report its findings to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 201224
Regular Session.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted26
to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.27 HLS 10RS-2868 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 172
Page 3 of 3
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)]
Burrell HCR No. 172
Requests the Reentry Advisory Council within DPS&C to evaluate the feasibility of
developing a statewide central computer system to improve collaboration and coordination
of offender transition services, including cross-agency training and information-sharing, that
will improve outcomes for reentry initiatives, and report its findings to the Legislature of La.
prior to the convening of the 2012 R.S.