Current:Home > ScamsProposed Louisiana bill would eliminate parole opportunity for most convicted in the future -Elevate Capital Network
Proposed Louisiana bill would eliminate parole opportunity for most convicted in the future
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:02:28
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Lawmakers in Louisiana — a state that routinely has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country — are considering a bill that would eliminate the chance of parole for nearly all prisoners convicted after Aug. 1.
The legislation is one piece of the GOP-dominated Legislature’s conservative list of bills that are being discussed during a special session, in an effort to tamp down violent crime in the state. The tough-on-crime policies, which Democrats argue do not address the root of the issue, could overhaul parts of the Louisiana’s criminal justice system and public safety sector.
Among Republican priorities are toughening parole eligibility, in an effort to address recidivism rates and slow the “revolving door” of offenders who are released from jail only to return after committing another crime. The proposed sweeping legislative changes could determine how long certain incarcerated people remain in prison and when or if they would be allowed a second chance at freedom.
Among the proposals is a bill that would effectively eliminate parole for those convicted after Aug. 1, with few exceptions — including groups for whom it is constitutionally required, such as those who were sentenced to life terms as juveniles.
GOP state Rep. Debbie Villio, who authored the bill, said that under Louisiana’s current system, inmates are “released after serving a fraction” of their sentence — leaving victims and the public confused and “sorely disappointed.”
“For those of you who believe parole should be for a person 18 years or older who commits a heinous crime, there’s likely very little I can say that will make a difference. We simply disagree,” Villio said during a hearing Wednesday in a legislative committee, which advanced the bill. The proposal now heads to the House floor for debate.
Opponents argue that the legislation wouldn’t be effective in deterring crime, would cost the state millions as they continue to house inmates who could be paroled, and would create an atmosphere of “hopelessness,” with inmates having less incentive for good behavior and being involved in programs for success in the outside world.
Checo Yancy — who was incarcerated in the Louisiana State Penitentiary for 20 years and has since founded VOTE, which has led campaigns to expand voting rights for people on parole or probation — said the bill, coupled with other legislation being debated this session, would “lock people up and throw away the key.”
In addition, opponents say the margin for being let out early is already slim with a conservative Parole Board and many “hoops and hurdles” inmates must overcome to get a hearing.
Last year, 387 incarcerated people were granted parole, based on data in the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole’s annual report. Louisiana’s prison population last year was about 29,000, according to a report by the Louisiana Department of Corrections.
Other bills also could impact the possibility of inmates’ early release, including by reducing the amount a sentence can be lessened for good behavior and eliminating opportunities for post-conviction plea deals. Combined, the policies would ultimately require those incarcerated to serve the majority of their sentence in prison.
Spurred by violent crimes in urban areas and newly elected conservative Gov. Jeff Landry, who vowed to crack down on crime, lawmakers are considering a slew of tough-on-crime policies that could roll back reforms passed under the state’s former Democratic governor.
Among this session’s bills are proposals to expand methods to carry out death-row executions, harsher sentencing for certain crimes like carjacking, allowing the concealed carry of firearms without a permit, “qualified immunity” for law enforcement officers and mandating that 17-year-olds be tried as adults when charged with a felony.
While Democrats and Republicans have disagreed on their approaches to address crime in Louisiana — a state that in recent years has had one of the highest homicide rates in the country — they have agreed something must be done.
Lawmakers must conclude the special session no later than the evening of March 6.
veryGood! (35)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Court sentences main suspects in Belgium’s deadliest peacetime attack to 20-year to life terms
- At least 56 dead as a fire engulfs a 9-story apartment building in Vietnam's capital Hanoi
- What if public transit was like Uber? A small city ended its bus service to find out
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- TikTok is hit with $368 million fine under Europe’s strict data privacy rules
- Beer flows and crowds descend on Munich for the official start of Oktoberfest
- Economist says UAW's strike strategy is a dangerous thing that could lead to the shutdown of more plants
- The seven biggest college football quarterback competitions include Michigan, Ohio State
- Howard Schultz, former Starbucks CEO, retires from coffee chain's board of directors
Ranking
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- Ole Miss player DeSanto Rollins files lawsuit against football coach Lane Kiffin, university
- Biden says striking UAW workers deserve fair share of the benefits they help create for automakers
- Why Baseball Player Jackson Olson Feels Like He Struck Out With Taylor Swift
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- North Korea’s Kim Jong Un inspects Russian bombers and a warship on a visit to Russia’s Far East
- Watch launch livestream: NASA astronaut, 2 Russian cosmonauts lift off to the ISS
- Wagner Group designated as terrorist organization by UK officials
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Sienna Miller rocks two-piece, caresses baby bump at London Fashion Week
Oops! I called my boss 'dude.' Career coaches weigh in on tricky workplace dilemmas
13 Sales You'll Regret Not Shopping This Weekend: Free People, Anthropologie, Kate Spade & More
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Watch: TSA agents in Miami appear to steal passenger items; what they're accused of taking
Luxury cruise ship that ran aground in Greenland with over 200 people on board is freed
Jeezy files for divorce from Jeannie Mai after 2 years: 'No hope for reconciliation'