As a result of criminal justice reform measures passed in the last legislative session, 14-hundred inmates in Louisiana will be released early from prison in November. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator said last week that some extremely dangerous criminals could be back on our streets. But Criminal Justice Reform Field Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center John Burkhardt says that isn’t true.
Burkhardt says no one convicted of sex crimes, manslaughter or murder will be released early as a result of the legislation approved earlier this year. He says the new sentencing laws accelerate the release mechanism for inmates on good time parole.
Sheriff Prator also said Louisiana needs to take its time before opening the flood gates and letting inmates out that should not be released. But Burkhardt says safety checks are performed before each individual is released to ensure there are no consecutive sentences requiring an inmate to remain in custody.