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ACT No. 342
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 781
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIBAUT
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
(2) To punish conduct which is defined as criminal by the legislature.21
(3) To deter future conduct which is defined as criminal by the legislature.22
(4) To rehabilitate offenders so that they may be reintroduced into society23
as law-abiding citizens.24 ENROLLEDHB NO. 781
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B. The legislature recognizes that when ex-offenders return to their1
communities and families, they face numerous challenges to their successful reentry2
into the community. Among these challenges, the most difficult to overcome are the3
barriers to employment.4
C. It is the intention of the legislature that this Part will provide opportunities5
to break the cycle of criminal recidivism, increase public safety, and assist the6
growing population of criminal offenders reentering the community to establish a7
self-sustaining life through opportunities in employment.8
D. The legislature hereby declares that it shall be the public policy of this9
state to promote initiatives that will provide ex-offenders with the support and10
services necessary to allow them to find employment and make healthy connections11
with their families and communities. Such initiatives can help ex-offenders to12
become productively engaged with their communities, to work and support their13
families, and thus make both their communities safer and their families economically14
secure.15
E. The legislature further recognizes the excellence that the standardized16
reentry programs developed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections17
have had on the successful reentry of many ex-offenders into their communities. As18
a result of these successes, the legislature believes that it is equally important to19
replicate such programs in local and regional correctional facilities where20
statistically larger numbers of offenders are released each year.21
F. The sheriff of Pointe Coupee Parish has already initiated a reentry project22
at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center through a public-private venture. The23
legislature believes that establishing a pilot program at this local facility would be24
an efficient use of available resources.25
G. In balancing the legitimate needs of law enforcement agencies and the26
desire to facilitate reentry opportunities to individuals who have paid their debts to27
society, the Legislature of Louisiana enacts the provisions of this Part and authorizes28
the sheriff for the parish of Pointe Coupee to implement a pilot program which shall29
be called the "Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program".30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 781
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§745.2. Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program; establishment; participating1
correctional institution; content; administration; implementation; reporting2
A. The "Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program" is hereby created and3
established within the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office.4
B. The program shall consist of all of the following components:5
(1) An Offender Rehabilitation and Accountability Plan that is specific to6
each offender housed at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center and provides for all of7
the following:8
(a) Engages the offender personally in the transition to release, sets clear and9
defined goals and expectations, and affords access to programs and services that will10
meet the individual's assessed risks and needs.11
(b) Assists the offender in resolving any behavioral issues he may have,12
including access to counseling for substance abuse, anger and aggression, antisocial13
behavior, cognitive deficits, domestic violence, and lack of parenting skills all as14
needed by the offender.15
(c) Assesses the offender throughout incarceration to determine progress and16
achievement of the goals and expectations established for that offender.17
(d) Introduces the offender to stakeholders in the community where the18
offender will be returning upon release to reinforce law-abiding and responsible19
behavior.20
(2) An education and job skills training plan specific to each offender housed21
at the Pointe Coupee Detention Center. Education and training provided within this22
plan shall be developed in partnership with employers and educational institutions23
within Pointe Coupee Parish, and any other appropriate parishes, to ensure that the24
types of instruction provided aligns with the needs of employers in the region that25
are willing to hire ex-offenders. When possible and appropriate, transitional26
on-the-job training should occur prior to release from incarceration.27
(3) An employment preparation plan that, prior to release, will provide the28
offender with skills training that addresses proper work ethic, communication,29
attitude, personal responsibility, and workplace culture. If required, the offender30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 781
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shall receive instruction in completing computerized applications, assistance with1
resume development, or assistance in job searches. The Louisiana Workforce2
Commission shall assist the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office in providing these3
services.4
(4) A post-release support plan that will provide each ex-offender a single5
point of contact for assistance with the needs and challenges that are encountered6
after being discharged from the detention center. This assistance shall be made7
available to the ex-offender for a period of twelve months following release. Support8
provided shall include, at a minimum and as needed, help in obtaining the following:9
(a) Necessary identification documents.10
(b) Housing.11
(c) Transportation.12
(d) Substance abuse treatment.13
(e) Family and domestic violence counseling.14
(f) Parenting.15
(g) Health care.16
(h) Child care.17
(i) Insurance.18
C. The sheriff is hereby authorized to research potential funding sources for19
this pilot program and obtain funds from any private, federal, state, and local sources20
available for such initiatives as are developed and undertaken by the program. Such21
funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes of the program.22
D. Within twenty-four months following initial implementation of the23
"Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program", the sheriff shall submit to the House24
Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on25
Judiciary C a comprehensive report regarding the implementation of the pilot26
program, funding obtained for its implementation, the progress of offenders and27
ex-offenders under the program, and a recommendation for continuation, expansion,28
or termination of the program.29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 781
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§745.3. Advisory council; establishment; duties; membership1
A. To assist with the creation, development and implementation of the2
"Offender Reentry Support Pilot Program", the sheriff shall create and appoint3
members to an advisory council. The council will assist the sheriff in the4
formulation of offender reentry strategies for the design of inmate education,5
treatment, and rehabilitation programs to provide sufficient skills to offenders that6
will likely result in their successful employment and reentry into their communities,7
reducing their chances of returning to prison after release.8
B. The programs shall be developed after evaluation and identification of the9
specific needs for reentry services within the detention center. The advisory council10
shall monitor these programs for their effectiveness and the outcomes achieved as11
they relate to such strategies. The sheriff may use any necessary resources of state12
and local agencies, academic institutions, and other research organizations to develop13
the strategies.14
C. The advisory council's membership shall be from the region served by the15
sheriff's office and shall consist of the following members:16
(1) Two representatives having managerial and business experience.17
(2) A representative from the Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce.18
(3) Representatives from each of the educational and training institutions in19
the region.20
(4) Three representatives from community service organizations.21
(5) Representatives from any state and local agencies relevant to addressing22
the pre-release and post-release needs of offenders.23
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: