HLS 21RS-2977 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 127
BY REPRESENTATIVE LANDRY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: Creates the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force
1 A RESOLUTION
2To create and hereby creates the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force to review and
3 receive information regarding the current regulations and policies of the Department
4 of Public Safety and Corrections on the use of segregation and safe alternatives to
5 segregation, and the current standards of the American Correctional Association on
6 segregation and special management units, and to make recommendations to the
7 legislature no later than February 1, 2023.
8 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections joined the national
9movement to reduce segregation in United States' prisons; and
10 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections closed Camp J and
11solicited technical assistance from the Vera Institute of Justice to aid in the reform of
12segregation practices; and
13 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections remains committed
14to further reducing its use of segregation and the continued improvement of living conditions
15in Louisiana prisons; and
16 WHEREAS, the use of segregation on persons with serious mental illness should be
17for treatment purposes or otherwise limited to instances where less restrictive measures are
18not available to address behavioral issues and to protect the health and safety of the entire
19prison population, including incarcerated persons and prison staff.
20 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
21Legislature of Louisiana does hereby create the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force
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HR NO. 127
1to review and receive information regarding current regulations and policies of the
2Department of Public Safety and Corrections on the use of segregation and safe alternatives
3to segregation, as well as the current standards of the American Correctional Association on
4segregation and special management units, and to recommend changes regarding the use of
5segregation on persons with a serious mental illness housed in Louisiana prisons in ways that
6protect the safety and well-being of those persons and that also take into account the safety
7and security of facility staff and other persons housed in Louisiana prisons.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
9following members:
10 (1) The chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice,
11or his designee.
12 (2) The author of House Bill No. 68 from the 2021 Regular Session of the
13Legislature, or his designee.
14 (3) The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or his
15designee.
16 (4) The chief of operations of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or
17his designee.
18 (5) The executive counsel of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or
19his designee.
20 (6) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, or his designee.
21 (7) The mental health director of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
22 (8) A psychiatrist from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections appointed
23by the secretary of the department.
24 (9) A representative from the Louisiana Stop Solitary Confinement Coalition
25appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
26 (10) A representative from the Louisiana Mental Health Coalition.
27 (11) The director of the Mental Health Unit of the Orleans Parish public defender
28office.
29 (12) Two formerly incarcerated persons who have experienced solitary confinement
30or a family member of someone who has experienced solitary confinement.
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HR NO. 127
1 (13) A mental health professional who has treated formerly incarcerated persons
2who have experienced solitary confinement or persons with serious mental illnesses.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the membership of the task force
4shall constitute a quorum and shall elect two co-chairs of the task force at the first meeting,
5one of whom shall be either the chairman of the House Committee on Administration of
6Criminal Justice, or his designee or the author of House Bill No. 68 of the 2021 Regular
7Session of the Legislature, or his designee. The task force shall meet at the call of the two
8chairs, or upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force members. All members
9shall be notified in writing of all meetings at least five days before the date on which a
10meeting of the task force is scheduled.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet at least four times prior
12to December 1, 2022, and that the first meeting of the task force shall take place no later than
13September 1, 2021.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that meetings of the task force shall take place at the
15Louisiana State Capitol, the headquarters of the Department of Public Safety and
16Corrections, or through videoconferencing if available.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
18or the author of House Bill No. 68 of the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature, or both
19shall provide staff support to the commission.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the duties of the task force shall include but not
21be limited to all of the following:
22 (1) Review information on the Department of Public Safety and Corrections'
23ongoing implementation of safe alternatives to segregation for persons with mental illness,
24including the current regulations and policies on the use of segregation and safe alternatives
25to segregation, the American Correctional Association standards on segregation and special
26management units, relevant department policies, and the Louisiana Administrative Code.
27 (2) Recommend any legislation for the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature,
282023 Regular Session of the Legislature, or both regarding the use of segregation on persons
29housed in Louisiana prisons with a serious mental illness in ways that protect the health and
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HR NO. 127
1well-being of such persons and that also take into account the safety and security of staff and
2other persons housed in Louisiana prisons.
3 (3) Recommend the funds necessary for alternatives to segregation and staff training
4to be included in the budget prior to the 2023 Regular Session of the Legislature.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may request and collect relevant
6and necessary data as well as any information to accomplish its purposes from state and local
7governmental agencies.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the entities from which such information and
9data is requested may, to the extent feasible, provide such information and data to the task
10force at no cost.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall prepare and submit a report
12of its findings and policy recommendations to the governor and the House of
13Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana no later than prior to the convening of the
142023 Regular Session of the Legislature.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each
16of the task force members, the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, and the
17appointing entities provided in this Resolution.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force
19shall submit one print copy and one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this
20Resolution to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
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)]
HR 127 Original 2021 Regular Session Landry
Creates the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force to study current regulations and
policies on the use of segregation and safe alternatives to segregation as well as the
American Correctional Association standards on segregation and special management units
and to make recommendations to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2023 Regular
Session of the Legislature.
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