HLS 14RS-1984 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 78
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
PUBLIC SFTY/CORRECT DEPT: Directs the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections to review the feasibility of expanding the workforce development
sentencing program
A RESOLUTION1
To direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to study the feasibility and make2
recommendations relative to the expansion of the workforce development sentencing3
program to include additional judicial district reentry courts.4
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections workforce5
development sentencing program was created pursuant to Act No. 399 of the 2012 Regular6
Session of the Legislature; and 7
WHEREAS, the program requires the department in conjunction with the reentry8
division of district courts to identify eligible candidates who are suitable for the workforce9
development sentencing program and to assist the offenders in becoming more productive10
members of society upon their return to the community, thereby reducing recidivism and11
improving public safety; and12
WHEREAS, since the enactment of Act No. 399 of the 2012 Regular Session of the13
Legislature, there are currently four judicial district courts that are authorized to assign a14
certain division of the court as a reentry division of court, the Nineteenth Judicial District15
Court, the Twenty-Second Judicial District Court, the Eleventh Judicial District Court, and16
the Criminal District Court for the parish of Orleans; however, several judicial district courts17
have expressed their interest in expanding the workforce development sentencing program18
to their districts; and19 HLS 14RS-1984 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 78
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WHEREAS, the program is conducted at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where1
there are currently one hundred twenty slots available for offenders, of which one hundred2
nine are filled; and3
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that by the end of 2014, there will be an additional4
fourteen slots that will become available in increments as offenders graduate from the5
program throughout the year; and6
WHEREAS, there are multiple judicial districts that have expressed an interest in7
participating in the program; however, due to the limited availability for housing the8
offenders at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, those judicial districts are restricted from9
creating reentry courts and providing the opportunity to offer rehabilitation to offenders in10
their districts.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the12
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections13
to study the feasibility and make recommendations relative to the expansion of the14
workforce development sentencing program to include additional judicial district reentry15
courts.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections17
make a written report to the House Committee on Judiciary detailing their findings no later18
than January 1, 2015.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the20
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.21
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)]
Jefferson HR No. 78
Directs the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to study the feasibility and make
recommendations relative to the expansion of the workforce development sentencing
program to include additional judicial district reentry courts.