Building Better Lives

The Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Package, passed by the Louisiana Legislature, works to reduce prison populations in the state and invest in programs and policies proven to reduce recidivism. By supporting people in prison and people under community supervision through these incentives, we are able to decrease recidivism and prevent crime, leading to safer prisons and communities.

Reinvesting in Louisiana Justice

The Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force, a bipartisan group comprised of law enforcement, court practitioners, community members, and legislators, found that Louisiana’s corrections system was producing low public safety returns at high costs. We’re working to change that.

  • 10%

    decrease in the number of people in prison is the overall goal over the next decade, saving $262 million.

  • 70%

    of savings (an estimated $184 million) will be reinvested into programs and policies proven to reduce recidivism and support victims of crime.

  • 12%

    reduction in the number of people under community supervision with more manageable caseload sizes for probation and parole officers.

Community Incentive Grant Program

As a part of the Justice Reinvestment Legislation of 2017, a portion of the savings attributable to criminal justice reform have been allocated the DPS&C to award incentive grants to organizations that can deliver programs and policies that will enhance, expand and/or increase coordination of reentry services with the goal of expanding prison alternatives and reducing prison admissions and/or recidivism.

As of 2021, the Department of Corrections has awarded 17 CIG grants to several community organizations who serve participants in the following parishes that account for a large portion of the state’s incarcerated population: Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, St. Tammany, Bossier, Calcasieu, Lafourche, Lafayette, Ouachita, Rapides and Terrebonne.

Emergency & Transitional Housing Program

The Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETH) Program provides short-term housing to formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) who are at risk for homelessness and are currently under the supervision of Probation and Parole. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve FIPs’ chances of having a successful reentry experience through improved access to transitional and permanent housing opportunities.

In support of the goals of the Justice Reinvestment (JRI) Legislation of 2017, the portion of the savings allocated to DPS&C for reinvestment for priorities that support reducing prison admissions and recidivism shall fund this program.

Spring 2021 ETH Application for Housing Providers

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) is seeking housing providers to join the Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETH) program, and to provide stable short-term housing and food access on a per diem basis to participants.

The Spring 2021 ETH Application for housing providers is now open. Please see ETH Program Guidelines and Application below. Deadline for applications is May 31st, 2021 at 4:30 pm (Central Time).

The JRI Office will host an ETH Applicant Info Session via Zoom on May 14th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. You can register for the Zoom webinar by clicking this link here.

At this time, the priority is to recruit housing providers in the following parishes:  Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, St. Tammany, Bossier, Ouachita, Rapides, Lafayette, Calcasieu, Lafourche and Terrebonne; but housing providers from any parish are welcome to apply.

Questions? Contact the JRI Office at jriprograms@la.gov.

ETH Public Resources

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Policy Documentation

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