Prison reform measures go into effect Wednesday when some 14-hundred non-violent offenders will be released as a result of changes to the state’s sentencing laws. It’s an effort led by Governor John Bel Edwards to lower the state’s incarceration rate which is considered the highest in the world. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says most of these prisoners set free this week were nearing their release.
Caddo Parrish Sheriff Steve Prator was critical of the reform effort. Prator said he learned of one man that was arrested 52 times under 34 different names would be released this week. LeBlanc says Prator was using bad information and the sheriff has realized his error.
Lowering the incarceration rate is estimated to save the state 262-million-dollars over ten years, most of the savings will go towards rehabilitation programs