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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 172
BY REPRESENTATIVE BURRELL
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To authorize and request the Reentry Advisory Council within the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections to evaluate the feasibility of developing a central statewide
computer system to improve collaboration and coordination of offender transition
services, including cross-agency training and information-sharing, to improve
outcomes for reentry initiatives and to report its findings to the Legislature of
Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session.
WHEREAS, according to a recent study by the PEW Center on the States, Louisiana
has the highest incarceration rate in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the mission of incarceration in the criminal justice system is to enhance
public safety through the safe and secure incarceration of offenders, effective probation and
parole supervision, and proven rehabilitative strategies that successfully reintegrate
offenders into society, as well as assisting individuals and communities victimized by crime;
and
WHEREAS, successful offender reentry and reintegration into the community is a
matter of critical importance to the public's safety, but reentry is often unsuccessful due to
the barriers ex-offenders face including a lack of education and job skills, employment
prohibition in selected occupations, mental health and substance abuse issues, access to valid
identification documents, child support enforcement regulations, access to public housing
and other public benefits, and strained or fragile family and community ties; and
WHEREAS, the ability of ex-offenders to obtain employment after incarceration and
to become productive members of their communities is essential to reducing recidivism
rates; however, successfully finding employment is often difficult due to the reluctance of
many employers to hire individuals with criminal backgrounds; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 172
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WHEREAS, offender reentry is a crime prevention strategy, which serves to reduce
crime and the number of crime victims and ultimately ensures opportunities for safer
communities; and
WHEREAS, successful reentry is also a cost-savings measure which results in
savings to state and local criminal justice systems; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana has created a Reentry Advisory Council
to assist the efforts of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections in developing the
most comprehensive and effective reentry programs; and
WHEREAS, the Reentry Advisory Council is charged with identifying methods to
improve collaboration and coordination of offender transition services, including cross-
agency training and information-sharing that will improve outcomes for offenders; and
WHEREAS, the Reentry Advisory Council is further charged with establishing a
means to share data, research, and measurement resources in relation to reentry initiatives
with relevant agencies.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
authorize and request that the Reentry Advisory Council within the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections 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, to improve outcomes for reentry initiatives
and report its findings to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to the convening of the 2012
Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE