2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 197
BY SENATOR CLOUD
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the office of juvenile justice, youth services, Department of Public
Safety and Corrections to develop a plan to provide services and opportunities that
encourage youth to become more engaged in their rehabilitation, education, and job
skills training, through mentor programs, animal therapies, and business classes, and
submit a copy of the written plan, together with specific proposals for legislation, to
the Senate Committee on Judiciary B not later than February 1, 2023.
WHEREAS, Louisiana law requires that all youth in the custody of the office of
juvenile justice receive appropriate treatment, training, and education commensurate with
the needs and abilities of each youth; and
WHEREAS, research supports that evidence-based treatment is the most efficient
and effective means of protecting the public and reducing recidivism; and
WHEREAS, according to the office of juvenile justice's 2021 fourth quarter report,
there were 365 youth in secured custody, 351 youth in nonsecured custody, and 31 youth in
Families in Need of Service custody; and
WHEREAS, the office of juvenile justice uses treatment interventions, including
motivation interviewing, thinking for a change, functional family therapy, and
multi-systemic therapy, that help youth acknowledge accountability, teach pro-social
attitudes and behaviors, and avoid risky thinking and actions; and
WHEREAS, upon adjudication and placement of youth within the custody of the
office of juvenile justice, an assessment is conducted and an individualized plan is developed
for rehabilitation services with the knowledge that each youth in the custody of the office
will return to local communities throughout the state; and
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WHEREAS, with recent challenges facing the office of juvenile justice, including
violent incidences at juvenile facilities, juveniles escaping secured care facilities, and
staffing shortage in the facilities, the office should develop ways to promote and encourage
participation in programs that offer resources and opportunities that rehabilitate, educate, and
equip youth with skills for reentry into the local communities; and
WHEREAS, because of the commitment and effort to stress the importance of
rehabilitation, education, and job skills training throughout the years, the office should
develop a plan to provide services and opportunities, including mentor programs with
business, religious, and civic leaders; animal therapies, including canine and equine;
business classes and programming that encourage financial literacy and offer youth an
opportunity to see their job training skills in action; and opportunities for community
interaction for low-risk youth and incentives that may encourage youth to positively engage
in the programs offered by the office that seek to rehabilitate, educate, and train youth for
a successful transition into the local communities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby request the office of juvenile justice, youth services, Department of Public
Safety and Corrections to develop a plan to provide services and opportunities that
encourage youth to become more engaged in their rehabilitation, education, and job skills
training, through mentor programs, animal therapies, and business classes, and submit a copy
of the written plan, together with specific proposals for legislation, to the Senate Committee
on Judiciary B not later than February 1, 2023.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
office of juvenile justice, youth services, Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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