SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDE BY THE FOUNDATION FOR
EX-LENGTHS IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND FROM VIEWERS
LIKE YOU. HELLO AND WELCOME TO "LOUISIANA
PUBLIC SQUARE." I'M BELT COURTNEY.
JOINING US TO EXPLORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN LOUISIANA IS
BOB MANN, A PROFESSOR AT MANSHIP COOL OF EDUCATION.
WELL, WE'VE HEARD THE STATISTICS.
LOUISIANA'S PRISON RATE IS THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.
WE ARE THE INCARCERATION CAPITOL OF THE WORLD.
ONE-THIRD OF THOUGH RELEASED ENDS UP BACK BEHIND BARS WITHIN
THREE YEARS. FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AN
UNLIKELY GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO REFORM THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE GOVERNOR MADE PRISON REFORM
PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN AND HE IS PUSHING FORWARD A COMPREHENSIVE
OVERHAUL OF HOW WE ADDRESS OFFENDERS.
TONIGHT WE LOOK TAILLIGHT PROPOSALS AND LOOK AT THE BEST
WAYS FOR REFORMING CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
LAST WEEK GOVERNOR EDWARDS CELEBRATED A SIGNIFICANT
VICTORY? WHAT IS BEEN OVERALL A
DISAPPOINTING LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR HIM.
HE ANNOUNCE AN AGREEMENT ON HIS REFORM PACKAGE.
THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS SMART AGGRESSIVE REFORMS THAT WILL
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR AND REDUCE THE STATE PRISON POPULATION BY AT LEAST
TEN PERCENT OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
THE GUN VIOLENCE NOR'S PROPOSALS ARE BASED ON OVER 20
RECOMMENDATIONS. THE TATSING FORCE STUDIED THE
ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR AND RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM A BROAD
COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS. IN MY SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OF
WORKING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY ARENA I'VE NEVER SEEN
SUCH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND CALL FOR REFORM FROM THE LEFT TO THE
RIGHT TO THE MODERATE SIDE. NATALIE LEBOARD IS THE DEPUTY
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF POLICY AND RESEARCH FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS. SHE SAYS WHILE THE STATE'S
INMATE POPULATION HAS DROPPED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS TO
37,000 INMATES IT HAS REACHED A PLATEAU.
THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IF NO CHANGESES ARE MADE THAT
REDUCTION WOULD LEVEL OFF. THAT'S REALLY WHAT THAT PACKAGE
IS ABOUT. IS IDENTIFYING THOSE DRIVERS
THAT HELP TO REDUCE THE POPULATION AND REINVESTING MORE
DOLLARS INTO THOSE PROGRAMS WE HAVE SEEN WORK.
ONE OF THOSE DRIVERS IS THE RATE OF NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS.
THE LOUISIANA TASK FORCE SENDSES PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR NON-VIOLENT
OFFENSE AT ONE AND A HALF TIMES OTHER STATES.
THE POPULATION WERE ALL NONVIOLENT OFFENSE WITH DRUG
POSSESSION TOPPING THE LIST. IN COMPARISON TO THE NATIONAL
AVERAGE WE INCARCERATE PEOPLE MORE AND THEY HAVE LONGER
SENTENCES AND AND THAT WAS PART OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO SYNTHESIZE
THE PENALTIES. THE PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE TAKEN
LOUISIANA'S MORE THAN 600 INDIVIDUAL FELONY CRIME
PENALTIES AND REDUCED THEM INTO SEVEN CLASSES.
THE PROPOSAL WILL NOW BE STUDIED BY A TASK FORCE WITH
RECOMMENDATIONS DUE BY 2018. IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA I THINK
THIS TASK FORCE MADE UP OF PRACTITIONERS, PEOPLE WHO
ACTUALLY GO INTO COURT AND USE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, I
THINK THIS TASK FORCE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT AND MAKE A
RECOMMENDATION AND DO THAT. IF IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA, I
EXPECT THAT THEY'LL COME BACK AND RECOMMEND THAT WE NOT DO
THAT. PETE ADAMS IS THE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISIANA DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGENCY
ASSOCIATION. HE AT THE SCENE LOUISIANA'S
INCARCERATION PROBLEM IS NOT ITS SENTENCING STRUCTURE BUT ISSUES
WITH REHABILITATION AND RECIDIVISM.
HE ALSO FEELS THE NONVIOLENT OFFENDER DATA USED BY THE
REINVESTMENT TASK FORCE CAN BE MISLEADING.
MAYBE THE IT'S A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM THAT DOESN'T WANT
TO GO TO COURT AND TESTIFY. THEY'RE AFRAID.
IF WE CAN PUT THAT PERSON, THAT SAME PERSON AWAY FOR
DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE AND PUT HIM AWAY FOR 20 YEARS OR 25
YEARS SOMETIMES THE VERY WELL SAY I WOULD RATHER YOU DO THAT.
THAT WAY I DON'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS.
I DON'T HAVE TO GO PUBLIC WITH THANKFUL AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENS,
THAT PERSON IS IN ANGOLA AS A NONVIOLENT OFFENDER.
SO THOSE LABELS DON'T ALWAYS ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE
OFFENDERS. THE COMPROMISE LEGISLATION
DOES INCLUDE SEVERAL SENTENCING REFORM MEASURES ELIMINATING
MANDATORY MINIMUMS, BRINGING STATE LAWS CONSIDER DRUG AND
PROPERTY CRIMES IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES REDUCING HABITUAL
OFFENDERS PENALTIES AND ELIMINATING LIFE SENTENCES FOR
REPEAT NONVIOLENT CRIMES. TO BRING STATE PROSECUTORS ON
BOARD THE GOVERNOR ALSO ALLOWED THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR
GERIATRIC PRISONERS. ONLY DO LOUISIANA AND
MISSISSIPPI MANDATE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BASE LAWS ON THE WAY WE
FEEL. NORRIS HENDERSON IS EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF VOICE OF THE EXPERIENCED WHICH WORKS WITH
FORMER INMATES. HE SAYS RESEARCH SHOWS OLDER
INMATES POSE A LOWER RISK OF RECIDIVISM.
THAT'S WHAT THIS WHOLE PACKAGE IS ABOUT IS ABOUT
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO COME AND PRESENT THEMSELVES
AND SAY, HEY, HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW.
LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE LATELY. IT'S ESTIMATED THE COMPROMISE
LEGISLATION WILL SAVE $262 MILLION OVER THE NEXT
DECADE. 70 PERCENT OF THAT, 184 MILLION
WILL BE INVESTED INTO EXPANDING PRISON ALTERNATIVES AT THE FRONT
END LIKE DRUG COURTS. OF THE 17,000 INMATE RELEASED AN
YOU MEANLY 13,000 COME FROM LOCAL PRISONS.
THE ONES THAT ARE GOING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE AT THE
LOCAL LEVEL WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE REACH THEM
WITH THE REENTRY PROGRAMMING, THE EDUCATION, THE REHANDLE AT A
TIMIVE SERVICES THEY NEED TO GET BACK AND BILLION PRODUCTIVE
MEMBERS OF SOCIETY SO THAT'S ABSOLUTELY A PRIORITY OF
REINVESTMENT. TELEVISION JOURNALIST MOYERS
SUGGESTED THE BEST ROLL FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY'S CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM MAY BE A RETURN TO IT ROOTS.
WE CAN RELEASE A THIRD OF THE PRISONERS IN AMERICAN PRISONS IN
JAILS WHO ARE THERE FOR LESSER OFFENSES WITHOUT ANY THREAT TO
PUBLIC SAFETY. WHY NOT DO THAT.
WHY NOT REALLY TURN OUR PENITENTIARIES TO THEIR ORIGINAL
PURPOSE. JOINING US TO EXPLORE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IS OUR STUDIO AUDIENCE, IT INCLUDES TWO
FORMER INMATES, PAROLE AND PROBATION AIR FORCE, DISTRICT DT
ATTORNEYS, A FORMER FEDERAL MAGISTRATE AND STATE JUDGE, A
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY, ACLU REPRESENTATIVE AND A MEMBER OF
AN ORGANIZATION HELPING RELEASE CITIZENS WITH THEIR REENTRY.
A STATEWIDE SURVEY CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR POLLED OVER
1,000 LOUISIANA RESIDENTS ON THEIR OPINION ON CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM. AMONG THE RESULTS, WHEN ASKED
ABOUT THE CURRENT FAIRNESS OF THE THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM, JUST OVER HALF OF SPEEDOMETERS 51 PERCENT DISAGREE
WITH THE STATEMENT THAT LOUISIANA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM IS FAIR. 34 PERCENT AGREED.
WHEN THE RESPONSES ARE BROKEN DOWN BY RACE A LARGE MAJORITY OF
BLACKS DISAGREE, ONE PERCENT P WHITES ARE SPLIT ALMOST EARLY,
AND 44 PERCENT AGREE. ASK THEIR OPINION OF THREE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PROPOSALS 75 PERCENT OF THOSE
FADE FAVOR SHORTER SENTENCES. AND 72 PERCENT FAVOR ENDING
MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES AND ALLOWING JUDGES MORE FLEXIBILITY
IN MATERIALING PUNISHMENT. BUT SUPPORT FOR SHORTER SENTENCE
FOR PEOPLE CONVICTED OF NONVIOLENT CRIMES DROPS WHEN
SPECIFIC OFFENSES ARE MENINGED. 69 PERCENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
LIGHTER SENTENCES IF THE CRIME IS FRAUD OR USING ILLEGAL DRUGS.
SUPPORT DROPS TO 54 PERCENT FOR LIGHTER SENTENCES FOR OFFENSES
SUCH BURGLARY OR SELLING ILLEGAL DRUGS.
SO LET'S START WITH YOUR OPINION OF THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM. WHAT'S WORKING AND WHERE IS
THERE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO START?
THING THAT I THINK IS WORKING AT THE DRUG COURTS.
I WAS INVITED TO A DRUG COURT GRADUATION THE OTHER DAY BY
JUDGE JEWELS EDWARDS AND ALL OF THE GRAYS A CHANCE THE PEEK AND
TELL THEIR STORY, AND IT WAS REALLY MOVING.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO FIND OUT WHEN A DRUG COURT
DRAWINGS IS HAPPENING AND JUST GO.
I WAS REALLY MOVED BY THE STORY OF THESE PEOPLE.
PEOPLE WHO CONSIDERED JUDGE EDWARDS THEIR ENEMY BUT WHO CAME
TO SEE THEM AS THEIR FRIENDS BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATED.
YOU WERE SHAKING YOUR HEAD. I AGREE.
IN MY ROLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN CHARGE OF
REENTRY, ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS IS OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT d
PEOPLE WHO ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THE DRUG COURTS TO HELP THEM GET
TREATMENT. THOSE WHO CAN'T DO WELL WITHOUT
PATIENT TREATMENT. SO WE WORK VERY WELL WITH THE
DRUG COURTS COURTS AND ALSO HAVA REALLY GOOD REENTRY COURT
PROGRAM WHICH DOESN'T RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND IS
JUST ADDITIONAL ROLES THAT WE TAKE ON IN THE PRISON SYSTEM AS
WELL AS THE COURT SYSTEMS AND IT'S BEEN WILDLY SUCCESSFUL TO
THE EXTENT WE HAVE. I AGREE WITH HIM THAT REABLATION
DEFINITELY WORKS. WE SEE IT .
. A LOT OF THE FOCUS IS ON THE
NON-VIOLENT OFFENDER AND I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE THINGS, IF WE
LOOK TAILLIGHT RECIDIVISM RATES THESE ARE FOLKS WE HAVE THE MOST
PROBLEMS WITH. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED
AT IN THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE PACKAGE, LIKE LOOSEN UP A LITTLE
BIT FOR THOSE GERIATRIC PRISONERS.
BECAUSE THE RECIDIVISM RATE IS ZERO.
IT'S IF FOLKS THAT HAVE FELT THE BRUNT OF INCARCERATION .
BECAUSE WE LOOK AT THE POPULATION, PING ONE OF THE
THINGS WE SAW FROM THE VIDEO AND NOW THEY MENTIONED THAT, MOST OF
THE FOLKS BEING RELEASED, THEY'RE BEING RELEASED FROM
JAILS. THEY'RE NOT BEING RELEASED FROM
CORRECTIONS SO THAT I NOT COMING OUT WITH THE SAME SKILL SETS
THAT SOMEBODY COMING OUT OF ANGOLA WOULD HAVE.
AND SO THAT'S WHERE THE REAL CHALLENGE IS, THAT FOLKS ARE
BEING RELEASED, THEY'RE BEING RELEASED FROM PLACES THAT DON'T
PROVIDE NO PROGRAMMATIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.
WANT THE GERIATRIC PATIENTS? THAT'S AN ASPECT OF THE BILL
THAT'S NO LONGER VIABLE AT LEAST THIS SESSION.
IS THAT A GO AHEAD THING OR BAD THING FROM SOME OF THE
REPORTERS? PART OF THE THINGS WITH
GERIATRIC, WE ALL UMS THE COST FOR HAVING OLDER INMATES IS VERY
HIGH, BUT YOU HAVE TO WEIGH THAT AGAINST SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO
ARE IN THERE THAT WE'VE TOLD THE VICTIMS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE
DOING LIFE. THIS PERSON WHO TOOK YOUR LOVED
ONE'S LIFE IS GOING TO BE DOING LIFE AND THEN TO COME BACK LATER
AND GO TO THAT VICTIM AND SAY I'M SORRY, BUT HE'S GOING TO BE
GETTING OUT AND COMING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY, THAT'S A HARD
THING TO DO. I THINK WE HAVE TO WONDER AS
A SOCIETY WHY WE'VE CHANGED HOW WE VIEW SENTENCING.
I KNOW 30, FORGOT YEARS AGO, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE
SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE WAS MUCH LESS THAN THE NUMBER
THAT WE SENTENCE TODAY. THE RATES HAVE CHANGED.
SO I GUESS I UNDERSTAND THAT PERSPECTIVE.
BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE BECOME A STATE AND WE'RE NOT THE
ONLY STATE THAT DOES THAT BUT WE HAVE BECOME A STATE THAT IS
INCREASINGLY WANTING TO SENTENCE PEOPLE TO LONGER SENTENCES TO
SENTENCE VIOLENT CRIMES TO SENTENCES THAT ARE MUCH LONGER
THAN THEY WERE 20, 30, 40 YEARS AGO.
THIS GERIATRIC -- THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS
GOING TO GET WORSE IF NOT BETTER WITHOUT A CHANGE.
DO JUDGES NEED MORE DISCRETION ON THESE MANDATORY
MINIMUMS A BAD WAY TO GO? JUST TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE,
I WAS ON THE FEDERAL BENCH, THE U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE FOR 20
JEERS AND SERVED SIX MONTHS ON A STATE BENCH.
THE ONE THING YOU CANNOT DO AS A FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE IS
SENTENCE FELONY CASES SO THAT'S NOT THE PLACE THAT I'M COMING
FROM MAINLY. WHAT I SAW SITTING ON THE STATE
BENCH IS THAT THINGS ARE NOT WORKING.
PEOPLE SAY THAT CRIMINAL SYSTEM IN LOUISIANA IS BROKEN, BUT IN
FACT, ASYSTOLE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT I'M SEEING AND
TALKING TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND RESEARCHING THINGS, THE
CONCLUSION I CAME TO IS THERE A POTENT DRIVER OF LOUISIANA'S
INCARCERATION RATE AND THAT IS A PROFIT.
WE HAVE A PRIVATE PRISON SYSTEM BUT ALSO MILLION JAILS THAT ARE
BUILT ON THE PRIVATE MODEL. THERE'S A PROFIT INCENTIVE
THERE. EVERY PERSON THAT I SENTENCED AS
A STATE JUDGE, THAT WAS CONVICTED HAD TO PAY SOME VERY
HIGH COURT COSTS AND ASSESSMENTS.
A PIECE OF THAT WENT TO THE JUDGES, TO THE D.A.S.
TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS. WE HAVE AN OFFENDER FUNDED
JUSTICE SYSTEM IN LOUISIANA THAT WILL WE ARE ADDICTED --
BASICALLY SAY TO PEOPLE WE'RE INVESTING IN CRIME IN LOUISIANA.
WHEN WE ACHIEVE THIS, IF WE ACHIEVE THIS TEN PERCENT
REDUCTION THAT IS PROMISED BY THE JUSTICE REINVESTMENT TASK
FORCE OR THE BILLS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THAT, THEY'RE
AIMING TO REDUCE OUR INCARCERATION RATE BY
TEN PERCENT IN TEN YEARS. WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE AT THE
TOP OF THE WORLD. WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE 13 TIMES
GERMANY'S RATE, THREE AND A HALF TIMES IRAN'S RATE.
SO WHEN PEOPLE SAY THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN, IT'S NOT.
IT'S INTENDED TO DO WHAT IT'S DOING, WHICH IS TO ACHIEVE
PROFIT FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE INVESTED IN UHE SYSTEM.
CAN I PICK UP ON WHAT SHE SAID?
I WORK FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND EIGHT STATES
ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES. AND YOU'RE RIGHT EVEN WITH THE
TEN PERCENT DECLINE WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE AWAY AHEAD THE REST
OF THE PACK. IN THE MEANTIME, OKLAHOMA JUST
PASSED LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO DRIVE THEM DOWN.
MISSISSIPPI PASSED LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE THEIR
POPULATION BY ABOUT 16 TO 20 PERCENT.
AL A.M.'S DONE IT. GEORGIA HAS DONE IT.
ALABAMA JUST LAST FRIDAY PASSED LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR A
PATHWAY OUT FOR GERIATRIC AND SERIOUSLY ILL INMATES.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH LOUISIANA? ANYBODY WANT TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION WHAT'S WRONG WITH LOUISIANA?
I WAS THE EDITOR OF THE MAGAZINE FOR 16 YEARS.
THIS IS GOING TO SOUND A LITTLE STRANGE BUT I CAN AGREE ON ONE
ISSUE. NOT EVERYONE CONVICTED OF A
NON-VIOLENT CRIME IS NECESSARILY NON-VIOLENT.
BUT THE CONVERSE OF THAT IS ALSO TRUE.
NO EVERYONE CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT CRIME HAS A CRIMINAL
MENTALITY. AND USING THOSE MATERIALS IS
PART OF THE REASON, BECAUSE THAT'S POLITICAL.
WHEN YOU START THROWING THOSE AROUND AND TAKE DISCRETION FROM
JUDGES AND > DON'T -- AND YOU ME MANDATORY SENTENCING.
IF YOU'RE A FIRST OFFENDER, AND YOU GOT IN AN ARGUMENT ON A TREE
ON THE PROPERTY LINE AND -- OR A CAREER CRIMINAL.
IT'S THE SAME SENTENCE AND THERE'S NO DISCRETION.
SO YES THE CONVERSE OF WHAT YOU SAID IS TRUE.
NOT EVERYONE CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT CRIME, EVEN A SERIOUS
ASSIGNMENT CRIME IS A VIOLENT CRIMINAL AND THAT PERSON BECOMES
ONE MORE COST. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE RISK ISN'T
THERE AND IT JUST AS UP. IN 1980 WE HAD 700 PRISONERS.
IN 1983 I DID A TERRIBLE THING, AN AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING
AND CRIME AGAINST NATURE, ON DRUGS AND EVERYTHING.
BUT THE DATE I GOT TO ANGOLA, I WAS REHABILITATED BECAUSE I KNEW
THAT WASMENT THE PLACE I WANTED TO BE.
SO I DID EVERYTHING ID THAT TO DO TO EARN MY WAY OUT.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, THE PEOPLE THAT CAME IN IT'S
AMAZING THAT THE DATA THAT THEY SHOW THE PUSHBACK CAME FROM THE
SHERIFFS AND THE D.A.S. THE PEOPLE THAT'S IN THE
BUSINESS. IT'S THE KNOWLEDGE VIOLENT
SHORT-TERM THAT ARE KEEPING THE REVOLVING DOOR GOING.
WHAT CAN AN 84-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH ONE LEG DO?
I UNDERSTAND THE VICTIMS. I WAS A VICTIM OF A CRIME.
I MEAN, MY SON GOT KILLED. BUT I'M NOT BITTER ON EVERYBODY,
YOU KNOW, HANGING HIM AND LEAVE HIM.
BUT IF YOU THINK BACK WITH PRISONS, IT STARTED WITH THE
QUAKERS. REHABILITATION.
PEOPLE BEING BOATER PEOPLE. AND I DARE SO SAY, ANYBODY
SITTING HERE TODAY HAS DONE SOMETHING THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN
THEM FOR. SO WE MAY GET TO THAT POINT.
MAYBE WE NEED GOD TO COME DOWN AND GET US AUTOSTRAIGHT.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS PORTION OF OUR SHOW.
WENT WE RETURN WE'LL BE JOINED BY A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO EXPLORE
REFORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN LOUISIANA
WELCOME BACK. TONIGHT WE'RE DISCUSSIONING
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN LOUISIANA.
JOINING US NOW IS OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS.
#È BELIEVES THAT VOLKSWAGENAL EDUCATIONAL AND
LIFE SKILLS]=Uç TRAINING TRAINIF THE KEYS TO ENSURING PUBLIC
SAFETY. WE HAVE THE DEPEND COUNCIL OF
THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT. SHE'S ALSO STAFF COUNCIL TO THE
WHY THE REINVESTMENT TASK FORCE. DUHE IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FOR THETH 16TH DISTRICT. HE'S A GRADUATE OF TULANE AND A
FORMER PROSECUTOR. HE WAS LENGTHED AS DISTRICT
ATTORNEY IN 50. AND ELAINE ELLERBE IS THE STATE
DIRECTOR FOR RIGHT ON CRIME. HER DEVELOPMENT OF REENTRY
PROGRAMS FOR OFFENDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED
STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY. BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AUDIENCE
QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST ASK EVERY ONE OF YOU HOW YOU
WOULD GRADE LOUISIANA'S CURRENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THANK YOU, BOB. AND THANK YOU LPB FOR DOING THIS
AND WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE PUBLIC
UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TRYING THE ACCOMPLISH.
IF YOU JUST USE THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE IN THE WORLD
I GUESS YOU WOULD GIVE US AN F, BUT IT HAS I REFLECT BACK ON THE
LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND STARTING WITH THE SENTENCING COMMISSION,
WHERE WE HAD A D.A. AS A CHAIR POSITION, AND WE HAD A WIDE
VARIETY OF PEOPLE ON THE SENTENCING COMMISSION, WE PASSED
PROBABLY 30 PIECES OVULATIONS THAT HELPED US MOVE IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHEN
YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND I TALKED
ABOUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AT THE LOCAL
LEVEL, WE WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED QUITE A BIT IN THE LAST THREE OR
FOUR YEARS AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE HAVE NINE REENTRY CENTERS.
WE HAVE FOUR REPORTING CENTERS. WE HAVE 250 CERTIFIED TREATMENT
PROGRAMS NOW AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHICH WE HAD ZERO NOT THAT LONG
AGO AND AS RED MENTIONED EARLIER WE HAVE A MODIFIED TREATMENT
PROGRAM WITH 600 BEDS. WE HAVE LOUISIANA TRANSITIONAL
CENTER FOR WOMEN. AGAIN THESE ARE PARTNERSHIPS
WITH THE LOCAL SHERIFFS AND SO I KNOW -- I HEAR THE ISSUE OF IT'S
A MONEY DRIVER, AN ECONOMICS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BUT EVERYBODY'S
WORKING TOGETHER TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND OUR PRISON
POPULATION IS DOWN BY ALMOST 5,000 INMATES AND WE RANK
SOMEWHERE AROUND SECOND OR THIRD IN THE COUNTRY FOR PRISON
REDUCTION. FROM THAT STANDPOINT I THINK
WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS BUT WE HAVE A LONG ICE WAYS TO GO.
I WOULD BRING IT UP TO MAYBE A D.
I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTSES.
SOME OF ANY FAVORITE TEACHERS IN SCHOOL GAVE ADDITIONAL CREDIT
FOR CLASS PARTICIPATION AND FOR HOMEWORK.
AND I'LL SAY OUR HOMEWORK, WE'VE DONE QUITE A BIT OF HOMEWORK AS
THE SECRETARY JUST SPOKE ABOUT AND FOR THE LAST TEN MONTHS, IF
NOT LONGER, ABOUT A YEAR WE'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT AS A
STATE TO LEARN AND TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT THE DRIVERS OF
INCARCERATION ARE. NOW THE TASK FOR US TO IS LOOK
IN THE MIRROR AND BE HONEST AND ADDRESS THOSE THINGS.
AND PINGS WITH THIS PACKAGE, WE'RE DOING MANY OF THOSE THINGS
BUT WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO. SO I WOULD SAY FOR CLASS
PARTICIPATION WE GOAT GET ABA. SO SO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS LOOK
AT OUR LONGER SERVING SENTENCERS.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE SUCH A PUNITIVE SEWED SAN
FRANCISCO SOCIETY. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE
ONE OF FEW STATES WHO HAS STILL NOT FASHIONED A REMEDY FOR
CHILDREN SERVING LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.
THAT'S VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. AND IF WE DON'T DO THAT INWE
WILL STILL FAIL. AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT.
I KNOW WE CAN DO IT. WE'VE ALL WORKED TOGETHER.
SO MANY FOLKS IN THIS ROOM HAVE BECOMES CLOSE FRIENDS.
SO I GUESS I HOPE THAT LOUISIANA BECOMES THE POSTER CHILD FOR
BEST OR MOST IMPROVED STUDENT FOR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
WELL, I GUESS I WOULD HAVE TO ASSESS A GRADE SIMILAR TO MY
PANELISTS IN THAT AS FAR AS BEING THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION
RATE WE'RE NOT GOING A GOOD JOB AND THAT'S OBVIOUS.
SO WE NEED TO BALANCE CHANGE AND WORK TOGETHER LIKE WE HAVE BEEN
DOING AND HAVING A BALANCE IN THERE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE,
COMMITMENT TO VICTIMS THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THE PAST.
AND YOU KNOW, TO BALANCE THOSE INTERESTS AND COMMITMENTS AND
TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT OURSELVES LIKE ALANAH SAID.
OF COURSE CLASS PARTICIPATION. WE COME FROM A VARIETY OF
DIFFERENT AREAS. YET WE'RE GOING TO SIT AND WORK
TOGETHER AND I THINK THAT'S A GREET STEP WE'RE TAKING.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE BENEFIT OF 87 PERCENT OF THE
SAVINGS ORIGINALLY PREDICTED. AND I'M CONFIDENT NOW THAT THE
OF REINVESTMENT COMPONENT IS REALLY GOING TO BE THERE TO
REALLY IMPLEMENT THOSE PROGRAMS THAT ARE NECESSARY AND
STATEWIDE. BECAUSE WE DO IS HAVE SOME GREAT
PROGRAMS THAT THE SECRETARY MENTIONED THAT ARE MAKING A
DIFFERENCE. SO OVERALL I THINK I WOULD GIVE
US A MEDIUM C GRADE ONCE YOU TAKE THE AS AND F AND PUT IT
TOGETHER, THAT WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF LOUISIANA
AND I'M CONFIDENT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
ONE OF THE THINGS FOR ME IS THAT FOR OVER 25 YEARS I'VE
WORKED DIRECTLY WITH THE INCARCERATED POPULATION.
IN FACT THE SECRETARY WAS ANY BOSS AT ONE TIME.
BUT WHAT I'M SEEING NOW IS THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
QUIT OPERATING IN THESE SMALL SILOS.
SOMEBODY BROUGHT UP THE ORIGINAL INTENT FOR STATE PENITENTIARIES.
THE WHOLE PURPLE WAS TO KEEP THE BAD GUYS AWAY FROM THE GOOD GUYS
AND EVEN WHERE WE ARE NOW, CORRECTIONS MANY TIMES IS ASKED
TO DO SO MANY THINGS THAT THEY WERE NEVER INTENDED TO DO.
NOW WILL NOT NOT STEM FORWARD AND BE THE LEAD INNER THESE
REFORMS? YES THEY WILL.
AND I THINK WE HAVE A TEAM THAT RECOGNIZES THAT AND IS DOING
THAT. BUT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT
THERE ARE SO MANY LITTLE PARTS AND PIECE THAT IS IMPACT THIS.
MANY TIMES WHEN I HEAR THE STATEMENT THAT CORRECTIONS IS
ABOUT MONEY DRIVEN AND THAT IT'S ABOUT MAKING A PROFIT.
I WORK FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS I'VE WORKED DIRECTLY WITH A
LOCAL DETENTION CENTER AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE
IS THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THEIR POLICE JURY TO DO THEIR PART.
MANY TIMES THE POLICE JURIES ARE COMING BACK AND SAYING LISTEN,
WE DON'T HAVE MONEY THE KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON IN YOUR JAIL.
SO WHAT IS THE SHERIFF SUPPOSED TO DO?
BUT ALSO ALL OF THE SYSTEM HAS HAD A PART IN BUILDING WHAT WE
HAVE. BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 25
YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE SYSTEM I'M SEEING PEOPLE COMING
TOGETHER THAT HAVE NEVER COMING TOGETHER AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT
EVERYONE SAID HERE. BUT WE ARE PROBABLY THE WORST IN
THE CLASS RIGHT NOW. BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL
BECAUSE OF THE JUSTICE REINVESTMENT.
BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THEIR GOING ON TO WIND UP BEING
THE MOST IMPROVED WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE .
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT.
AND NOW LET'S TURN TO OUR AUDIENCE HERE AND GOO TO
QUESTIONS. BOBBY WE'RE GOING TO GO TO YOUR
FIRST. I'M AN ASSISTANT D.A. IN
LAFAYETTE. ONE OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE TALK
ABOUT IS INCARS RACE RATE AND BY THE NUMBERS, 60 PERCENT OF THE
PEOPLE INCARCERATED WERE PUT ON PROBATION FOR THE CRIME FOR
WHICH THEY WERE ULTIMATELY INCARCERATED.
SO OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN THE
PROBATION DEPARTMENT. AND I WOULD DARE SAY A LOT OF IT
HAS TO DO WITH DRUG CRIMES. DRUG OFFENSES BECAUSE TOP FIVE
DRIVERS ARE DRUG OFFENSES. AND MY UNDERSTANDING HAS ALWAYS
BEEN THERE NEEDS TO BE A CARROT AND A STICK TO SORT OF GET OVER
OR GET REHABILITATION AND DEAL WITH THE ADDICTION PROBLEM.
AND SO AS PART OF JUSTICE REINVESTMENT, WE'RE DRASTICALLY
REDUCING OF SOME OF THE SENTENCES FOR POSSESSION,
POSSESSION WITH INTENT AND DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES. AND ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I
HAVE IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ALL CARROT AND NO CONSEQUENCES
FOR NOT FULFILLING YOUR OBLIGATIONS IN DRUG COURT.
HOW DOR¢ I WOULD LIKE TO JUMP IN HERE
AND SAY THAT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE REALIZED WITH
REGARD TO DRUG CRIMES IS THAT THERE WAS A WAR THAT WAS WAGED
ON DRUG CRIMES BACK IN THE 80INGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE
DISCOURSE NOW DEMONSTRATE THAT WAS CREATED BASED UPON POLICY
DECISIONS AND NOT BASED UPON THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS DRUG
ADDICTION AND WE'VE SEEN THROUGH MANY OTHER COUNTRY THAT HAVE
ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM, PORTUGAL AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
THAT WERE REALLY GOING THROUGH THE SAME KIND OF ADDICTION
ISSUES WE ARE AND DECIDED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THROUGH
THEIR HEALTH SYSTEM AS OPPOSED TO TO THROUGH THEIR PRISON
SYSTEMS AND THEY WERE ABLE THE ACHIEVE GREAT BENEFIT TO THEIR
SOCIETIES BY DOING THAT. UNDERSTANDING THAT ADDICTION IS
DRIVEN BY AN INABILITY TO WORK -- TO DEAL WITH THE HEALTH
ISSUE AND NOT CRIMINALITY. AND SO TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY
SUPERVISES PIECE THAT YOU WERE MENTIONING, WHAT THE RESEARCH
SUGGESTS THAT SWIFT, CERTAIN AND PROPORTIONAL SANCTIONERS ARE
WHAT SHOULD BE THE WAY WE DEAL WITH COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.
MEANING WE DON'T HAVE PENALTIES THAT ARE ARBITRARY OR ATTENUATED
OR DISPO PORTION GNAT TO THE VIOLATION.
SO LOOKING AT EACH VIOLATION, ESTABLISHING A GRID FOR CERTAIN
TYPES OF VIOLATIONS AND MAKING SURE THE PUNISHMENTS THAT ARE
GIVENING HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY. ARE CONSISTENT FOR EVERYBODY
WHO'S ON PROBATION, NOT DISPARATE BASED ON THE
DEMOGRAPHIC YOU ARE, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THEY'RE
PROPORTIONAL. SO WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT REVOKING
PEOPLE FOR A MINOR VIOLATION, WE'RE LOOKING TO PERHAPS ADDRESS
THINGS WEATHER HEADLINE WITH SHORTER PRISON SENTENCES.
THE MODEL OUT OF HAWAII, THE WHOLE PROBATION PROGRAM REALLY
DOES TALK ABOUT THIS CARROT AND STICK.
SO THE CARROT OBVIOUSLY WOULD BE FOLKS ARE ABLE TO LESSEN THEIR
PROBATIONARY SUPERVISORY PERIOD OF TIME FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR
DOING THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE WANT TO SEE THEM DOING, FOR
GETTING A GED, FOR WORKING, FOR DOING THE PRO-SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
THAT WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN FACT BUT BY THE SAME
TOKEN, FAILING TO ADHERE P FAILING TO WORK THE PROGRAM
WOULD RESULT IN PRISON TIME. RECOGNIZING THAT NATIONAL
CAMPAIGNS ON THIS EXACT ISSUE SUGGESTED EVEN THREE DAYS HAS
THE ABILITY TO DISRUPT SOMEONE FROM THEIR WORK, THEIR
COMMUNITY, THEIR FAMILY, THEIR CHILDREN, THE KINDS OF SOCIAL
THINGS WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE. SO I THINK BY REDUCING
CASELOADS, BY GETTING FOLKS OFF OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISES WHO ARE
WORKING WELL, ARE DOING WELL THAT ALLOWS OUR PAROLE OFFICERS
TO FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON FOLKS WHO ARE HYSTRIX AND MORE
LIKELY TO RESCIND. YOU DO PROBATION AND PAROLE
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, MAYBE WE CAN COME
TO YOU FOR THE NEXT QUESTION. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO BE A
PANELIST ON THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED A CARROT
AND A STICK. SHE'S RIGHT YOU GOT TO SLAP THAT
KID'S HAND THE MINUTE THEY REACH IT IN THE COOKIE JAR.
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO REWARD THEM WHEN THEY'RE DOING WELL.
AND THAT'S ONE THING PAROLE IS FOCUSING ON.
OUR JOB IS PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE BEHIND
BARS THAT BELONG BAN BARS. AND HOPEFULLY REREINVEST THIS
MONEY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY, INTO PROBABLY AND PAROLE.
DRUG TREATMENT. ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL PARISHES
THAT HAVE NOTHING FOR US TO GIVE.
AND THAT'S THE WHOLE KEY. WE GET THAT REINVESTMENT THAT WE
CAN GET THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH TO TRUST US, COME TO ME, PETE,
HEY, I HAD A BAD WEEKEND, SMOKED SOME DOPE.
I'M GOING TO SLAP YOUR HAND AND PUT YOU IN JAIL FOR A DAY BUT
THEN I'M GOING TO GET YOU SOME TREATMENT.
THE FAMILY TREE STOPS, GENERATION FROM GENERATION IS
SAVED. AND WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME.
CHICO, YOU'RE A GREAT SUCCESS STORY.
YOU WERE TALKING TO US EARLIER. THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOUR PROBATION
PAROLE OFFICER FEEL GOOD. WE SHOULD ALSO TAKE THAT PERSON
OFF THE STREET THAT WE CAN'T CHANGE OR THAT PERSON THAT'S
INFLUENCING OTHERS TO DO WRONG, LIKE OUR GANG MEMBERS.
AND IF I MAY ADD TO THAT. ONE THING THAT REALLY RELATES TO
THIS IS THE JAILISH. THAT 13,000 OUT OF 17,000, I
THINK THAT WAS MENTIONED ON THE FRIEND OF THIS.
AND GIVING AN EXAM, WHEN YOU GET SENTENCED HARD TIME , THEY
CONTRACT OUT. NO RECEPTION CENTER.
STRAIT THERE AND DO TWO OR THREE YEARS AND THEY'RE DISCHARGED
BACK STRAIGHT TO POVERTY. AND THAT IS ONE OF OUR MAIN ON
THIVES HERE IS WE HAVE TO STOP THAT.
THESE REENTRY CENTERS I MENTIONED EARLIER IS WHAT'S
DOING THAT. WE HAVE HAD TESTIMONY TODAY
FROM TWO OFFENDERS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH OUR DAY REPORTING
CENTERS CAN DRUG PROBLEM ASKS NOW THEY DON'T.
THAT I DOING GREAT. SO WE HAVE THE MATERIAL TO KNOW
THAT IT WORKS. AND SOMEBODY SAID, YOU GOT THOSE
THAT YOU CAN'T BREAK. BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE
THAT WANT TO DO RIGHT ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
SO WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING EARLIER ABOUT THE MUST BE BEING
USED TO -- PUT THE MONEY INTO THE RIGHT PROGRAMS.
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT EARLIER.
AISLE CONFIDENT IT WILL. WE HAVE HAD A PRIOR EXPERIENCE
WHEN WE REDID THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ADAPTED THE
MONTH MODEL IN THERE WAS A PROMISE THAT THE MONEY SAVED WAS
GOING TO BE REINVESTED. AND IT WASN'T ALL REINVESTED.
SO WE HAVE A BIG JUVENILE PROBLEM AND NO STAFF BECAUSE
THERE'S NO FUNDING. SO YOU'RE FORCED TO RESERVE THAT
SPACE THAT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR A JUVENILE FOR THE -- I MEAN THE
REALLY BAD ONES WHERE YOU CAN HAVE SOME OTHER CENTER THAT CAN
CURB THAT BEHAVIOR. AND ONCE AGAIN AS A YOUTHFUL
OFFENDER YOU'RE HOPING TO CURB THAT BEHAVIOR BEFORE THEY
GRADUATE ON TO ADULT COURT AND THEY BECOME MORE REPRESENTATIVE
AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THAT BEHAVIOR AND THE CYCLE JUST
CONTINUES LIKE YOU SAID. YOU WANT TO BREAK THAT CYCLE.
SO I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REINVEST AND THE FACT
THEY ADDED ANOTHER -- 20 PERCENT TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
IS A BIG I UNDERSTOOD CATERED THAT THEY'RE COMMITTED.
WE'LL GOO TO ROBIN NOW FOR A QUESTION.
AS A DISTRICT ATTORNEY, YOU'RE A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE
TWO MAJOR GROUPS THAT OPPOSED THE REFORM LEGISLATION RECENTLY.
SHERIFFS OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH STRANDED ASSET OF JAILS
THEY BUILT IN ANTICIPATION OF CONTINUED PRISONERS.
BUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ALSO OPPOSED IT.
I WAS WONDERING WHAT IS THE REASON -- THE ONLY THING THAT
OCCURRED TO ME IS THAT BY HAVING LESS -- HAVING LESS PUNITIVE
SENTENCING AND NOT HAVING THE THREAT THAT THEN ALLOWS THEM TO
PLEA BARGAIN, THAT THAT MAKES YOUR JOB HARDER.
CAN YOU ADDRESS WHY IT IS? IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR
QUESTIONS CORRECTLY THE QUESTION WAS WHY DO WE OPPOSE.
THE REALITY IS WE DIDN'T OPPOSE THE MAJORITY OF JUSTICE
REINVESTMENT AS RELATES TO NONVIOLENT NONSEX OFFENDERS.
IN FACT WE ARE SUPPORTING IT AND WE ARE AGREEING TO MANY
RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE WAS NO GOOD TIME PAROLE.
WE HAVE AGREED TO HAVE THAT APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT ANY
NONVIOLENT OFFENSE AS WELL AS THE PROBATION CHANGES THAT
REDUCE -- AND WE AGREE WITH INCENTIVIZING GOOD BEHAVIOR.
WHAT HAPPENED IS DURING THE PROCESS IS YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER
THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE JUSTICE REINVESTMENT
TASK FORCE HAD THREE GOALS GOALD ONE WAS TO SAVE THE PRISON SPACE
FOR VIOLENT AND SERIES OFFENDERS.
THAT TELL MES ME AS A MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE LET'S CONCENTRATE
ON NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS AND LET'S DEAL WITH THE MAJORITY OF
PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THE PRISON SYSTEM CAN TV AND LET'S SEE HOW
WE CAN IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO CURB THAT INCARCERATION RATE.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE MANDATES OF THE RESIDENT LOUIS
SAID TO DEAL WITH NON-VIOLENT, NONSERIOUS OFFENDERS.
SECOND OF ALL THERE'S MILLION VIOLENT OFFENDERS THAT ARE OUT
THERE THAT ARE BEEN RECONVICTED. AND SOME OF THOSE INVOLVED
MANDATORY LIVE SENTENCES ON SAY FIRST-DEGREE MURDER,
SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, AG RAPES. THERE WAS CASE THAT I HAND,
BECAUSE I HAND FELONY<0 THROUGHOUT ANY CAREER AND 50
THAT I DID NOT THINK THE FACTS MAY HAVE JUSTIFIED A CONVICTION
FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, BUT I THOUGHTS THOUGHT LIFE IN PRISON
WAS IMPROPER WE WOULD ALWAYS DRY TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING DOWN TO A
MANSLAUGHTER OR NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE DEPENDING ON THE FACTS.
SO THEY DID HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND I THINK THAT'S
CUTTING LOSSES. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS THEY
HANDLE THEIR CASES AND WE ALL KNOW THAT.  WE ENTER PLEA
AGREEMENTS THAT DEAL WITH THE CHARMS TO THE OPPORTUNITY IS
THERE. AND LET'S NOT FORGET YOU HAVE
COMMUTATIONS. ANY PERSON IN PRISON FOR 15
YEARS AND APPLY FOR COMMUTATION OF THEIR SENTENCE AND THAT'S
REGULARLY DONE. AND THAT DOES HAVE A RELEASE
VALVE FOR SOMEBODY BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT?
I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT PERCENTAGE.
MAYBE THE SECRETARY WILL TUSSLE. I DO KNOW THAT IT'S BEING
USED ON A MORE REGULAR BUSINESS NOW.
THE LAST 25 YEARS, MAYBE 100 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THEIR
SENTENCE COMMUTED AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM HAD BEEN UNDER
JOHN BELL'S WATCH. MIKE FOSTER MAY HAVE DONE TWO OR
THREE. BOBBY JINDELL DID ONE.
SO THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY , IT DOESN'T WORK.
PRIOR THAT 15 YEARS MR. WOOD IS TALKING ABOUT, PEOPLE SERVING A
LIFE SENTENCE HAD TO DO JUST TUTOYERS AND MAKE AN APPLICATION
FOR CLEMENCY. SOMEONE WOULD GIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOMEBODY WOULD GOAT RELEASED.
THAT CHANGED BECAUSE THE D.A.'S ASSOCIATION WENT AND SAID ONE
CRIME SURVIVOR CAME AND SAID I'M TIRED OF COMING TO THESE
HEARINGS AND WHAT HAPPENED FROM THAT WAS THEY SHIFTED TO 15
YEARS. IF YOU DIDN'T GET A
RECOMMENDATION, YOU HAD TO WAIT FIVE MORE YEARS BEFORE YOU CAN
REAPPLY. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THE D.A.S
SAYING WE MADE A PROMISE TO THE VICTIMS.
PRIOR 1979, JUST LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID, PUNISHMENT IN
THIS STATE, SUSPECT WAS CREATED AND NOW WE HAVE A SECOND-DEGREE
MURDER MURDER STATUTE. I GAVE PAROLE AFTER 20 YEARS.
1975 BECAUSE OF DECISIONS BETWEEN UNITED STATES SUPREME
COURT, THEY MOVED THAT TO 40 YEARS.
THAT STAYED IN PLACE FROM THE LATE 60s ALL THE WAY UP TO
1979. OZOWHEN PEOPLE SAY WE MADE A
PROMISE TO VICTIMS THIS IS WHAT THE PUNISHMENT IS GOING TO BE,
THE STATUTE IN THIS STATE MADE A PROMISE TO THOSE PERSONS WHO
WERE SERVING THEIR TIME THAT IF YOU WENT IN AND DID WHAT YOU
WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, WE WILL REVIEW AT THESE INTERVALS.
IS WE NEVER DID THAT. WE HAVE LIFERS IN THERE.
SO LET'S GET THE HISTORY. LET'S GOAT THE STORY COMPLETELY
TO COMPLETE TO THE SENT THAT --
CLEMENCY IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THIS IS MOST OF THE WORLD TO
GET. I WOULD MAKE A POINT THAT, IN
THIS PACKAGE, THOSE LIFERS THAT HAD PAROLE ELIGIBILITY WHEN THEY
WERE CONVICTED ARE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE.
AFTER 40 YEARS. RIGHT, WHICH WAS THE
SENTENCING IS STRUCTURE WHEN THEY WERE CONVICTED.
. 20 TO LIFE.
THEY'VE ALREADY DONE 20 YEARS MORE THAN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO
DO. MOST OF THEM WILL BE ELIGIBLE
BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 40 YEAR.
TWO YEARS SHORT OF 40. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS.
ELIGIBLE JUST MEANS -- AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC AND
THE D.A.S AND EVERYBODY GETS CONFUSED.
BEING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE JUST MEANS THAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A
LOAN AND GOAT YOUR HOUSE BUT YOU HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS TO DO IT.
SO IF ELIGIBLE -- ALL THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO BECOME ELIGIBLE,
WHEN THEY GET TO THE PARDON BOARD THE D.A. GOING TO RETRY
THEM AGAIN. THAT'S JUST UNFAIR.
BECAUSE CLEMENCY IS MERCY. SO I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I WAS
SUPPOSE TO DO BUT THE VICTIM GETS THIS FREE THING THAT YOU
CAN NEVER CHANGE. VICTIM OPPOSITION, LAW
ENFORCEMENT OPPOSITION AND THE NATURE OF ANY MY OFFENSE.
I CAN NEVER CHANGE THAT. O D.O. THE VICTIMS HAVE TOO
MUCH INFLUENCE IN IN PROCESS? ABSOLUTE NOT.
THEY DID NOTHING WRONG. AND THIS PROCESS IS A PROCESS
THAT SHOULD BE IN PLACE. THE VICTIM SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT
TO GO IN -- DO THEY HAVE TOO MUCH
INFLUENCE? THE PAROLE BOARD RIGHT NOW,
IF PAROLE BOARD FOR SOMEONE TO GET PAROLE RIGHT NOW IS NOT A
MAJORITY. THAT WAS CHANGED BACK A COUPLE
YEARS AGO. I USED TO BE A UNANIMOUS
VERDICT. THAT HAS CHANGED WITH NO
OPPOSITION. AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER
JOB AT THAT IN GETTING VICTIMS INVOLVE ON THE FRONT END.
BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THIS IS THAT COME OUT OF THAT.
WHEN WE GET THE VICTIM AND THE OFFENDER TOGETHER, VOLUNTEERLY.
BUT THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
I REN A YOUNG LADY OUT OF NEW YORK WHO WORKED FOR THE
INNOCENCE PROJECT, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS SHE TALKED ABOUT IS
GETTING THE VICTIMS INVOLVED EARLY ON IS KEY HERE.
AND FORGIVE NECESSARY MEANS A LOT.
THE VICTIMS AT SOME POINT HAVE TO FORGIVE, I BELIEVE AND IF WE
WORK WITH THEM -- NOT EVERY CASE.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT EVERY CASE.
BUT WE HAVE 4900 LIFERS, AND I'M SURE THERE'S A GROUP OUT THERE
THAT CAN EARN THEIR WAY OUT. I WANT TO GET TO SOME MORE
QUESTIONS. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND TO DO ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING.
I THINK I'M THE ONLY EDUCATOR HERE AND MY QUESTION IS THIS:
HOW CAN WE PREVENT ALL OF THIS? WHAT CAN I DO AS A MOM, AS A
CITIZEN, AS A TEACHER, AS A VOLUNTEER, TO STOP THE TRAINING
THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT AFTER BEING INCARCERATED.
THE JUDGE SAID, I LISTENED TO YOU CAREFULLY.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US AS A SYSTEM, COMING TOGETHER AT HOME,
AT SCHOOL, THE CHURCHES, THE LAWYERS COME IN, YMCA AND YOU
NAME IT TO HEM OUR CHILDREN? THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. ONE OF THE THINGS MY TRAINING IS
I HAVE WORKED VERY DIRECTLY AND FOCUSED ON INCARCERATED PARENTS.
AND BECAUSE OF OF MY BACKGROUND, I'VE REALLY LATCHED ON TO THIS
FACT THAT WHEN CHILDREN ARE NOT PROPERLY NURTURED THEN ALL KINDS
OF THINGS CAN HAPPEN. YOU SAY WHAT CAN BE DONE.
I IN THE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EARLY
CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS VERY RARELY ARE THE PARENTS INCLUDED IN THAT
EQUATION AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE GOT TO HAPPEN.
BECAUSE HERE'S THE FACT IS, WE ALL PARENT LIKE WE WERE
PARENTED. HOW MANY PEOPLE IN HERE WHEN YOU
FOUND OUT I WERE HAVING A BABY SAID LET ME GO OUT AND SIGN UP
FOR A PARENTING CLASS. WE HAVE THAT WEALTH OF
INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US ABOUT CHILD BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
AND I WILL SIT IN MY CLASSES AND I CAN POINT OUT WHICH PERSON WAS
NOT NURTURED AS A CHILD. AND A LOT OF TIMES THE REASON
THAT OUR PROGRAMS ARE SO EFFECTIVE IS BECAUSE WE REACH IT
TO THAT INDIVIDUAL AND WE GIVE THEM THAT GUIDANCE THAT THEY
NEVER HAD. SO BUT FOR THE -- THE QUESTION
THAT YOU'RE ASKING, WE REALLY HAVE GOT TO ENGAGEPARENTS IN
WHATEVER WAY WE CAN TO BE A PART OF THEIR CHILD'S LIFE BECAUSE
MANY OF THEM DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
AND IF YOU START TALKING ABOUT DRUG ADDICTIONINGS AND MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES, THE CHILDREN JUST KIND OF GO OUT THE WINDOW.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING.
WE'RE SEEING SECOND CAN THIRD GENERATION OF CHILDREN THAT HAVE
BEEN THROWN AWAY, IF NOT PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, AND THAT'S A GREET QUESTION.
AND AS AN EXAMPLE, IN THE DISTRICT THE 16TH JUDICIAL
DISTRICT. THE FORMER D.A. STARTED A
PROSECUTORS EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM AND THAT THAT CAME FROM
HIS WIFE WHO WAS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER.
SHE SAID CAN I POINT TO THIS PERSON AND THIS PERSON AND I'M
GOING TO THEY WILL YOU THEY'VE GOING TO END UP IN THE SYSTEM.
AND IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WHERE WE IDENTIFY AT NEED CHILDREN THROUGH THE EDUCATORS.
THEY'RE COMING TO SCHOOL THEY'RE HUNGRY, THEY'RE FALLING ASLEEP.
SO IF THE PARENT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE SCHOOL THEY
ENGAGE THE D.A.'S OFFICE. WE SEND A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS.
THEY FINDS OFTENTIMES YOU HAVE A MOTHER WHO'S ADDICTED TO DRUGS
AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HOME IN WEEKS AND YOU HAVE A SIXTH
GRADER TAKING CARE OF THEIR SIBLINGS.
SO WE PROVIDE PARENTING SKILLS, DRUG COUNSELING, GET THE
CHILDREN SOME FIELDING PROGRAMS AND THEIR GRADES SHOOT UP.
AND THIS PROGRAM WAS IS THAT RIGHTED BY THE McARTHUR
FOUNDATION. IT WAS RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL
PROGRAM NOT ONLY FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA BUT FOR THE WHOLE
NATION. AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THE STATE
BUDGET GETS CUT, AND NOW WE'RE HANGING ON BY A THREAD.
BUT IT'S A PROGRAM HAS PROVED STATISTICS AND DATA THAT IT DUDS
WORKS AND THAT'S ONE WAY I WOULD SUGGEST IS EXACTLY THAT.
THAT MONEY SPENT ON THE FRONT END IS SO IMPORTANT THAT DOESN'T
SOMEONE DOESN'T ENDS UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THE INVESTMENT SIDE NEEDS TO COME INTO PLAY HERE.
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THIS IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE INVESTING
IN, PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR EDUCATORS WITH OUR BUSINESS
PEOPLE, OUR FAITH BASSED COMMUNITIES.
THAT'S PART OF WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
AND I WANT TO ECHO, I THINK SO YOUR QUESTION IS THE MOST
CENTRAL OF THIS ENTIRE DISCUSSION BECAUSE UNLESS WE
TALK ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT FOLKS FROM COMMITTING IN CRIMES TO
BEGIN WITH, I THINK WE'LL ALWAYS BE IN THIS CIRCULAR REASONING.
AND I THINK MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT BY BEING THE MOST
PUNITIVE WITH REGARD TO OUR SENTENCES ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE
DOING IS WE ARE TREATING MOST HARSHLY CHILDREN WHO ARE
SUFFERING FROM SEVERE TRAUMA. AND I THINK FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVE IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND NOW WITH THED A VENT OF RESEARCH
AROUND TRAUMA, WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS WE'VE
TAKEN CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA
AND HURT AND HARM AT A VERY EARLY AGE FROM THE TIME THEY
WERE THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO SHOCK THEM WITH
THAT SAME KIND OF HARSH TREATMENT.
AND WE'VE SEEN HORRIBLE RESULTS. SO WE REALLY NEED TO REALIZE AND
EMBRACE A SYSTEM THAT IS OBVIOUSLY, WHICH THE -- THE
SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SHOULD BE REHABILITATIVE, TAKING
CHILDREN AND EMBRACING TRAUMA INFORMED TEACHINGS AND TRAUMA
INFORMED WAYS OF HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH THE KIND OF
EXPERIENCES WE KNOW THEY'RE DEALING
DEALING WITH. AND WE CANNOT LEAVE OUT HOW WE
DEAL WITH SENTENCING. BECAUSE WE CAN'T FEED THEM AND
CLOTHE THEM AND DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO UP
FRONT BUT THEN THE FIRST TIME THEY FALL DOWN, WE SHIP THEM
AWAY FOR THE RE OF THEIR LIFE. I'M SPEAKING AS MY OWN PERSON, I
BELIEVE THAT IS A KEY PART OF IT.
WE HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH CHILDREN NOT AS SUPER PREDATORS,
BUT AS CHILDREN AND THE FOLKS WHO WILL BE LEADING US GOING
FORWARD. SO WE HAVE TO BE BETTER WITH HOW
WE TREAT OUR CHILDREN. WE'RE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF
TIME. SO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THOSE
OF YOU THAT DIDN'T GET A CHALLENGES TO ASK A QUESTION.
BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU ALL A CHANCE TO MAKE A BRIEF CLOSING
COMMENT BEFORE WE WRAP UP. I THINK SO THE ONE THING THAT
I WOULD WANT THE IMPART IS THE FACT THAT AS WE SIT HERE TODAY
AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS COMING
TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT ONE OF THE KEY THIS
IS THAT I'M FINDING AND BELIEVE ME, I'M A NEOPHYTE WHEN IT COMES
TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WATCHING THAT PROCESS.
CITIZENS HAVE TO GET INVOLVED. WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT IS. IT IS IMPACTING EVERY ASPECT OF
OUR LIFE HERE IN OUR GREAT STATE.
AND SO CITIZENS NEED TO GET INVOLVED.  YOU NEED TO GO DOWN
AND SPEAK TO YOUR LEGISLATOR. YOU NEED TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT
YOU BELIEVE IN, WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN.
SOME LEGISLATORS COME BACK AND VOTE NO ALL THE WAY DOWN THE
ROAD AND THEIR COMMENT BACK TO ME IS SAYING WELL BECAUSE I
DON'T WANT ANY CONSTITUENTS WOULDN'T LIKE ME DOING THAT.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE SURVEY THAT SAYS NO, THEY DO WANT YOU TO
REFORM THE SYSTEM. SO THERE'S A DISCONNECT AND WE
AS THE PEOPLE MUST COME FORWARD AND SPEAK TO OUR LEGISLATORS AND
LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE THINK AND FEEL.
BRIEFLY. I WOULD JUST END BY SAYING
THAT WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM. INCARCERATION IS DEFINITELY A
PROBLEM, AND REALLY APPRECIATE AND I'M PROUD TO SAY IN THIS
PROCESS THAT WE WORK TOGETHER IN THE DIFFERENT STAKE HOLDERS IN
HERE. WE PUT A LOT OF THINGS ASIDE
WHEN WE'RE WORKING, WHILE WE MAY HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES, I
THINK SO WE MAY HAVE SOME LEGISLATION THAT CAN REALLY MAYE
A DIFFERENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I
THINK EACH OF US IS BETTER THAN THE WORST THING THAT WE'VE EVER
DONE. A PERSON WHO'S COMMITTED A THEFT
IS NOT JUST A THIEF. AND SOL SO I KNOW THE WORK THAT
WE'VE DONE TOGETHER DEMONSTRATES THAT WE CAN FIND COMMON GROUND
MOVING FORWARD. THIS IS NOT OF A ZERO SUM GAME.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO
CONTINUE PUSHING FORWARD, TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AND TO
APPLY PRESSURE, SO MOVE FORWARD IN THE WAYS THAT WE KNOW THE
COMMUNITY WILL MAKE US SAFER, AS LONG AS -- STRONGER AND ALLOW US
TO BE MORE PREDICTIVE. WHEN I LOOK BACK ON THE LAST
YEAR AND THE EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD WORKING WITH THE GROUP THAT WE
WORKINGED WITH, I REALLY JUST WANT TO THANK THE GROUP.
THE TASK FORCE. I SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE
IT'S KIND OF DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME AFTER 40 YEARS THAT WE ARE IN
A GOOD SPOT TODAY AND I WOULD AND ASK THAT PEOPLE TALK TO
THEIR LEGISLATORS AFTER THIS. HOWEVER YOU FEEL AND I HOPE THAT
YOU SUPPORT A PACKAGE THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY AND WE STILL HAVE
A WAYS TO GO. THANK YOU ALL.
SO WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER SEGMENT.
WE'LL LIKE TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR THEIR INSIGHT ON
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS. WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THEY'VE
CONTRIBUTED TONIGHT. WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL HAVE A
FEW CLOSING COMMENTS. .
BOB, WHAT A GREAT CONVERSATION.
IF YOU GO ON FOR A LONG TIME. BUT WE DIDN'T TOUCH ON ALL THE
ISSUES. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PAY TAXES
FOR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS. BAIL IS STILL A PROBLEM.
BUT I HOPE WE CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ONLINE.
I HOPE SO TOO. PEOPLE WANT TO CHANGE.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS ADDITION OF "LOUISIANA
PUBLIC SQUARE." WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR
WEBSITE OF. WHILE YOU'RE THERE CHECK OUT THE
TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH AS WELL AS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORM SURVEY. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO COMMENT
ON OUR SHOW, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
. EARLIER IN YEAR THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DECIDED NOT TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST TWO
POLICE OFFICERS IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ALTON STERLING.
"LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE" EXPLORED THIS ISSUE IN FEBRUARY
ON BLACK AND THE BLUE. SO JOIN US FOR AN ON CORE
PRESENTATION ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28.
THANKS FORS WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.
