HLS 10RS-4420 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 178
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROSALIND JONES
CORRECTIONS: Requests DPS&C to study pricing of commodities sold to inmates at
canteens located in correctional facilities
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To authorize and request the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to conduct a2
statewide evaluation of the commodities offered through canteen services, to study3
the feasibility of developing uniform prices for all commodities offered to inmates,4
and to report its findings prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session.5
WHEREAS, according to a recent study by the PEW Center on the States, Louisiana6
has the highest incarceration rate in the United States; and7
WHEREAS, many criminal penalties in Louisiana provide for mandatory terms of8
imprisonment and do not allow for the suspension of sentence, probation, parole, or9
diminution of sentence for good behavior; and10
WHEREAS, because of the high incarceration rate in Louisiana, many inmates who11
are sentenced to the department are housed in local jails and private correctional facilities;12
and13
WHEREAS, all correctional facilities in the state offer canteen services to inmates;14
and15
WHEREAS, some inmates have very little income and are not in a position to avoid16
or object to prices which may be inflated or exceed retail value; and17
WHEREAS, there are inconsistencies with the pricing of items offered at various18
correctional facilities; and19
WHEREAS, there should be uniformity in the prices of commodities offered to20
inmates incarcerated in this state.21 HLS 10RS-4420 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 178
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby1
authorize and request the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to conduct a2
statewide evaluation of the commodities offered through canteen services, to study the3
feasibility of developing uniform prices for all commodities offered to inmates, and to report4
its findings prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED that the Department of Public Safety and6
Corrections, in conducting the study, is hereby requested to work with the Louisiana7
Sheriffs' Association, the office of the attorney general, and any other agencies or entities8
which the department deems appropriate.9
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted10
to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.11
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)]
Rosalind Jones HCR No. 178
Requests DPS&C to conduct a statewide evaluation of the commodities offered through
canteen services, to study the feasibility of developing uniform prices for all commodities
offered to inmates, and to report its findings prior to the convening of the 2011 R.S.