Louisiana Senate Bill SCR138

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/10/15
• Passed: 6/10/15
• Engrossed: 6/10/15

Caption

Requests strategies to provide offenders committed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and confined in parish correctional facilities the necessary education, job skills, and training, and needed behaviors, and to provide needed mental health care to all offenders committed to the department to facilitate successful reentry upon release.

Impact

The resolution, if acted upon, would positively impact state laws related to offender rehabilitation by mandating the inclusion of mental health support and job training in existing correctional programs. This approach reflects a growing recognition of the role that education, behavioral training, and mental health services play in enhancing the prospects for successful reentry of offenders into their communities. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for aligned strategies across correctional facilities to improve the efficacy of rehabilitation efforts, ultimately aiming to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system and taxpayers from recidivism.

Summary

SCR138 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in Louisiana, urging the Reentry Advisory Council and the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to implement strategies that facilitate the successful reentry of offenders confined in parish correctional facilities. The resolution underscores the importance of providing necessary education, job skills, training, and mental health care to offenders, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. The bill outlines a systematic approach to identify obstacles faced by offenders upon release and calls for the extension of rehabilitation and workforce development programs to parish facilities.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR138 is predominantly supportive among lawmakers, reflecting a bipartisan acknowledgment of the necessity for comprehensive reentry support systems for incarcerated individuals. The resolution signifies a progressive step towards reforming the state's approach to offender management, showcasing a shift from punitive measures to a more rehabilitative perspective aimed at fostering community integration. However, it also brings to light the complexities involved in implementing these strategies effectively, indicating that there might be some concerns regarding resource allocation and effectiveness of the proposed training programs.

Contention

While the resolution enjoys broad support, discussions around its implementation reveal nuances of contention primarily centered on resource constraints and the practicalities of extending programs to parish facilities. Critics and skeptics may express concerns regarding whether sufficient funding and infrastructure would be available to effectively implement the proposed strategies across diverse facilities. Additionally, the actual engagement and success in providing meaningful job skills and mental health services may be viewed as challenges that could undermine the bill's effectiveness, emphasizing the need for robust accountability measures in the oversight of the proposed initiatives.