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