RS 571.61 - Post-Release Facilities pilot program; legislative findings; establishment; rules promulgation; reporting
A. The legislature of Louisiana recognizes that almost all criminal offenders ultimately return to the community and that traditional institutional prisons fail to reform or rehabilitate, operating instead to increase the risk of continued criminal acts following release. It is therefore the intent of the legislature that the state of Louisiana shall, as a matter of policy, emphasize the utilization of nongovernmental organizations in the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons into the community. The state of Louisiana shall strive to develop and implement a comprehensive program to provide necessary closed custodial confinement of frequent, dangerous offenders, but which will additionally establish, through nongovernmental organizations, programs to ensure the disciplined preparation of offenders for their responsible roles in the open community.
B.(1) In order to implement its policies and programs, the state of Louisiana, through the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, shall develop and maintain support for nongovernmental organizations to operate post-release facilities that shall include both residential and nonresidential facilities designed to facilitate the reintegration of the offender into the community.
(2) These facilities and nongovernmental organizations shall utilize the supporting resources of probation and parole services, the cooperation of personnel in the fields of welfare, health, education and employment and the participation of citizens of the state including the families of former offenders, in attempts to achieve increased public safety and to lower the rates of recidivism.
C. In order to accomplish this purpose, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall request, no later than February 1, 2005, proposals from nongovernmental organizations seeking to provide services as part of a pilot program designed to implement programs to operate post-release nonresidential facilities, which will facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders into the community. Any such program shall incorporate the use of nongovernmental organizations in the operation of post-release facilities. The secretary shall develop rules and regulations to commence the application process for nongovernmental organizations who are qualified to operate a post-release facility designed to assist offenders with reintegration into their communities. Such rules shall include criteria for selection of the nongovernmental organizations for purposes of the program, and criteria for objective evaluation of the program.
D. Upon review of all applications received, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall choose one applicant who will operate a Post-Release Facilities pilot program in an urban area, and one applicant who will operate a Post-Release Facilities pilot program in a rural area.
E. The provisions of this Part shall be effective upon the appropriation of the funds for such purpose.
F. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall report annually to the legislature on the progress of the program.
Acts 2004, No. 673, §1.