New Law In Louisiana Drastically Changes Inmate Parole & Early Release

As of Thursday, August 1, drastic changes have occurred for adults convicted of a crime in Louisiana. Here's what you should know. Axios New Orleans reports the Pelican State has officially eliminated parole and substantially reduced the opportunity for inmates to be released on good behavior or "good time."

WHAT CHANGED WITH LOUISIANA'S EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM?

After taking office on January 8, 2024, Governor Jeff Landry (Rep.) called a 17-day special session determined to address Louisiana's violent crime rate. It should be noted, however, that new data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program shows violent crime stats for the state have dropped over the last few years. While some crimes have increased or stayed 17.8% in 2022, 20% in 2023 and so far in 2024 Quarterly Reports for January-March 15.2%.

Former Governor John Bel Edwards's(Dem) criminal justice reforms saved Louisiana $153 million. This helped Louisiana shed its stigma of being the world's prison capital. With Landry's rollback, experts say Louisiana's corrections budget and its prison population are predicted to double in size over the ten years. Despite extensive research proving, that eliminating parole is a failed policy, keeping people in prison longer will not keep Louisiana safer rather it's estimated to cost the state roughly $200 million a year.

According to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Gov. Landry said "Good Time" during opening remarks at the special session, "is like a participation trophy for jail." Many reforms passed with bipartisan support during Edwards's term have been stripped. This includes:

• Elimination of parole for adults
• Reducing early release for "good time"
• Stiffer penalties for carjackings
• Expanded state's execution methods
• Allowing concealed guns without permits.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK

New parole standards and the "good time" release changes, came from Rep. Debbie Villio (R-Kenner) and apply to persons convicted of crimes on or after August 1, 2024. Villio and Landry believe the new policy will create transparency in sentencing.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN LOUISIANA PRISONS TODAY?

Last year according to the state's Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole's annual report, 790 of the state's 29,000 prisoners had parole hearings in Louisiana. Only 387 of them had it granted. Before the governor's new policy, inmates would've received a reduced sentence of 13 days for every 7 locked up. As of August 1, eligibility will drop dramatically to an estimated 15% now.

WHY SHOULD THIS MATTER?

The Criminal Justice Institute says the stringency of the "good time" will double the state's prison population to more than 55,000! people over the next decade.
That population increase would also double the state's corrections budget.

Wanda Bertram of the Prison Policy Initiative, which has studied Louisiana parole.
"If they're not being released, they're aging in prison," she tells Axios New Orleans. "You're going to see so many more people who are of advanced age and people dealing with chronic illness that the state's prisons are going to resemble hospitals even more than they already do."

WHAT IS THE END RESULT?

Now that Louisiana will have people in prison longer, it will certainly cost the state an enormous amount of money to keep them there.