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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 781
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIBAUT
CORRECTIONS: Provides for the creation of a pilot program to rehabilitate and support
offenders
AN ACT1
To enact Part I-E of Chapter 7 of Title 15 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be2
comprised of R.S. 15:745 through 745.3, relative to the reentry of offenders who are3
housed in parish jails; to create an Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program; to4
provide for the establishment of a pilot program in Pointe Coupee Parish; to provide5
that the program shall be maintained by the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff; to provide6
offenders with assistance to facilitate reentry into society following incarceration;7
to provide for the criteria for development of the pilot program; to provide for an8
advisory council to assist with the implementation of the pilot program; to provide9
for the membership of the council; to provide for a report of program results; and to10
provide for related matters.11
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:12
Section 1. Part I-E of Chapter 7 of Title 15 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of13
1950, comprised of R.S. 15:745 through 745.3, is hereby enacted to read as follows:14
PART I-E. OFFENDER REENTRY SUPPORT15
§745. Short title16
This Part shall be known as the "Offender Reentry Support Act".17
§745.1. Declaration of public policy18
A. The goals of incarceration in the criminal justice system are as follows:19
(1) To protect the citizens of the state of Louisiana.20 HLS 14RS-1423 REENGROSSED
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(2) To punish conduct which is defined as criminal by the legislature.1
(3) To deter future conduct which is defined as criminal by the legislature.2
(4) To rehabilitate offenders so that they may be reintroduced into society3
as law-abiding citizens.4
B. The legislature recognizes that when ex-offenders return to their5
communities and families, they face numerous challenges to their successful reentry6
into the community. Among these challenges, the most difficult to overcome are the7
barriers to employment.8
C. It is the intention of the legislature that this Part will provide opportunities9
to break the cycle of criminal recidivism, increase public safety, and assist the10
growing population of criminal offenders reentering the community to establish a11
self-sustaining life through opportunities in employment.12
D. The legislature hereby declares that it shall be the public policy of this13
state to promote initiatives that will provide ex-offenders with the support and14
services necessary to allow them to find employment and make healthy connections15
with their families and communities. Such initiatives can help ex-offenders to16
become productively engaged with their communities, to work and support their17
families, and thus make both their communities safer and their families economically18
secure.19
E. The legislature further recognizes the excellence that the standardized20
reentry programs developed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections21
have had on the successful reentry of many ex-offenders into their communities. As22
a result of these successes, the legislature believes that it is equally important to23
replicate such programs in local and regional correctional facilities where24
statistically larger numbers of offenders are released each year.25
F. The sheriff of Pointe Coupee Parish has already initiated a reentry project26
at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center through a public-private venture. The27
legislature believes that establishing a pilot program at this local facility would be28
an efficient use of available resources.29 HLS 14RS-1423 REENGROSSED
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G. In balancing the legitimate needs of law enforcement agencies and the1
desire to facilitate reentry opportunities to individuals who have paid their debts to2
society, the Legislature of Louisiana enacts the provisions of this Part and authorizes3
the sheriff for the parish of Pointe Coupee to implement a pilot program which shall4
be called the "Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program".5
§745.2. Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program; establishment; participating6
correctional institution; content; administration; implementation; reporting7
A. The "Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program" is hereby created and8
established within the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office.9
B. The program shall consist of all of the following components:10
(1) An Offender Rehabilitation and Accountability Plan that is specific to11
each offender housed at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center and provides for all of12
the following:13
(a) Engages the offender personally in the transition to release, sets clear and14
defined goals and expectations, and affords access to programs and services that will15
meet the individual's assessed risks and needs.16
(b) Assists the offender in resolving any behavioral issues he may have,17
including access to counseling for substance abuse, anger and aggression, antisocial18
behavior, cognitive deficits, domestic violence, and lack of parenting skills all as19
needed by the offender.20
(c) Assesses the offender throughout incarceration to determine progress and21
achievement of the goals and expectations established for that offender.22
(d) Introduces the offender to stakeholders in the community where the23
offender will be returning upon release to reinforce law-abiding and responsible24
behavior.25
(2) An education and job skills training plan specific to each offender housed26
at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center. Education and training provided within this27
plan shall be developed in partnership with employers and educational institutions28
within Pointe Coupee Parish, and any other appropriate parishes, to ensure that the29 HLS 14RS-1423 REENGROSSED
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types of instruction provided aligns with the needs of employers in the region that1
are willing to hire ex-offenders. When possible and appropriate, transitional2
on-the-job training should occur prior to release from incarceration.3
(3) An employment preparation plan that, prior to release, will provide the4
offender with skills training that addresses proper work ethic, communication,5
attitude, personal responsibility, and workplace culture. If required, the offender6
shall receive instruction in completing computerized applications, assistance with7
resume development, or assistance in job searches. The Louisiana Workforce8
Commission shall assist the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office in providing these9
services.10
(4) A post-release support plan that will provide each ex-offender a single11
point of contact for assistance with the needs and challenges that are encountered12
after being discharged from the detention center. This assistance shall be made13
available to the ex-offender for a period of twelve months following release. Support14
provided shall include, at a minimum and as needed, help in obtaining the following:15
(a) Necessary identification documents.16
(b) Housing.17
(c) Transportation.18
(d) Substance abuse treatment.19
(e) Family and domestic violence counseling.20
(f) Parenting.21
(g) Health care.22
(h) Child care.23
(i) Insurance.24
C. The sheriff is hereby authorized to research potential funding sources for25
this pilot program and obtain funds from any federal, state, and local sources26
available for such initiatives as are developed and undertaken by the program. Such27
funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes of the program.28 HLS 14RS-1423 REENGROSSED
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D. Within twenty-four months following initial implementation of the1
"Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program", the sheriff shall submit to the House2
Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on3
Judiciary C a comprehensive report regarding the implementation of the pilot4
program, funding obtained for its implementation, the progress of offenders and5
ex-offenders under the program, and a recommendation for continuation, expansion,6
or termination of the program.7
§745.3. Advisory council; establishment; duties; membership8
A. To assist with the creation, development and implementation of the9
"Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program", the sheriff shall create and appoint10
members to an advisory council. The council will assist the sheriff in the11
formulation of offender reentry strategies for the design of inmate education,12
treatment, and rehabilitation programs to provide sufficient skills to offenders that13
will likely result in their successful employment and reentry into their communities,14
reducing their chances of returning to prison after release.15
B. The programs shall be developed after evaluation and identification of the16
specific needs for reentry services within the detention center. The advisory council17
shall monitor these programs for their effectiveness and the outcomes achieved as18
they relate to such strategies. The sheriff may use any necessary resources of state19
and local agencies, academic institutions, and other research organizations to develop20
the strategies.21
C. The advisory council's membership shall be from the region served by the22
sheriff's office and shall consist of the following members:23
(1) Two representatives having managerial and business experience.24
(2) A representative from the Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce.25
(3) Representatives from each of the educational and training institutions in26
the region.27
(4) Three representatives from community service organizations.28 HLS 14RS-1423 REENGROSSED
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(5) Representatives from any state and local agencies relevant to addressing1
the pre-release and post-release needs of offenders.2
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)]
Thibaut HB No. 781
Abstract: Creates the Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Present law provides for reentry programs for offenders housed in the Dept. of Public Safety
and Corrections facilities.
Proposed law retains these provisions of present law and extends reentry programs to
offenders housed in local jails through the creation of the Offender Reentry Support Pilot
Program to be operated in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Proposed law provides that the program shall include all of the following components:
(1)An offender rehabilitation and accountability plan - providing for defined goals
following incarceration, resolution of any behavioral issues, and introduction to
community leaders where the offender will be released.
(2)An educational and job skills training plan - providing vocational and on the job
training prior to release.
(3)An employment preparation plan - providing work skills, communication, attitude,
and personal responsibility.
(4)A post-release support plan - including housing plans, health care, insurance,
transportation, and substance abuse treatment.
Proposed law requires a report from the sheriff to the legislature regarding the
implementation of the pilot program.
Proposed law provides for an advisory council appointed by the sheriff to assist with the
operation of the program.
(Adds R.S. 15:745-745.3)