Criminal Justice

A unique and dynamic moment in criminal justice reform in Louisiana was created by newly-elected Governor John Bel Edwards’ public committed to reducing Louisiana’s incarcerated population by 14% with a focus on pre-trial diversion programs, reform sentencing for nonviolent offenders, and increased use of specialty courts. This Action Table will explore cross-sector strategies required to: reduce the disproportionate number of children, people of color, the mentally ill, and low income individuals entering the criminal justice system; ensure, at a minimum, constitutional treatment for all persons throughout the criminal justice system; and provide a pathway that prepares individuals returning from incarceration to re-enter a community ready for their return. Potential ideas for collaborative funding might include: support for policies and practices to ensure the system is responsive to the safety and justice needs of the region’s most vulnerable residents; dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and aspects of the legal, economic, housing and healthcare systems serving as drivers to the criminal justice; and the development of policy, organizing, legal and advocacy tools and networks that facilitate active community engagement with elected officials and criminal justice system actors to reform the system and improve democratic accountability.