Reentry Initiatives & Transitional Work Programs

History of Reentry Programs

For the last 15 years, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections has been working to reduce its incarceration rate, currently second highest in the nation per capita. According to a 2009 Pew study, 1 in 26 Louisiana adults are under correctional control, compared to 1 in 31 nationally. In 2022, Louisiana ranked 4th nationally among states in highest violent crime rate, 3rd highest poverty rate, and 4th lowest in percentage of adults with a high school diploma.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Louisiana’s incarceration rate is the highest in the nation per capita, 596 people incarcerated per 100,000 residents compared to 355 people incarcerated per 100,000 residents nationally. When only incarcerated adults (18 and older) are considered, the incarceration rate rises to 775 people incarcerated per 100,000 residents in Louisiana compared with 453 people incarcerated for every 100,000 residents nationally. As of March 31, 2024, Louisiana’s the number of adults in prison stood at 28,387, with 43,574 under probation and/or parole supervision.

Roughly 50 percent of the people serving prison sentences are assigned to state correctional facilities, while the other half are assigned to local-level jails and transitional work programs. In 2022, approximately 13,375 people were released from state prisons and jails to communities across Louisiana. Many face challenges of finding a place to live, finding employment, and accessing services and programs that will assist them in successfully reintegrating into their communities.

Within five years, slightly more than 40 percent of people who are released from prison will return to prison, either for violating the conditions of their supervised release or for committing a new crime(s). The five-year recidivism rate for the total DPS&C population, while still high, is an improvement from the five-year recidivism rate in 2008 (48 percent), when the Department began focusing on standardizing and expanding reentry programming as well as utilizing evidence-based programs and policies to drive decision-making.

To make significant progress in reducing incarceration and recidivism rates, as well as reducing negative impact to victims, communities, and families, the Department is focused on reaching people serving DPS&C prison sentences on the local level because these individuals were traditionally left out of programming opportunities offered at state correctional facilities. The Department, in collaboration with Sheriffs, currently operate 9 Regional Reentry Programs, and three Short Term Expanded Programming (STEP) programs that offer specific and responsive programming, which allows people in prison to learn basic work readiness preparation, money management, substance abuse education and treatment, parenting, anger management, and other life skills prior to their release.

Reentry Philosophy

The Department has embraced the Transition from Prison to Community Model recommended as an evidence-based best practice by the National Institute of Corrections. This model establishes a continuum of assessment, classification and case planning, and programs designed to address the “criminogenic risks and needs” of people in prison and under community supervision.

“Criminogenic Risks” are those risk factors that research shows increase a returning resident’s likelihood of recidivating and returning to incarceration. “Criminogenic Needs” are those needs that must be addressed to mitigate this risk of recidivism. While no program, or continuum of programs, can eliminate risk or guarantee a given person will not recidivate, addressing criminogenic risks and needs is considered the best use of resources to increase success for the returning resident.

There are three phases to the Department’s Reentry philosophy:

Phase I – Getting Ready (Reception and Diagnostic)

The institutional phase describes the details of events and responsibilities occurring during the person in prison’s imprisonment from admission until the point of eligibility for parole or release. This phase is designed to encourage and assist people in prison in making positive use of their time while in custody by learning skills through education and job training programs, developing new behaviors, addressing deficiencies, and developing pro-social thinking patterns to create a positive future for themselves and their families.

Phase II – Going Home (Facility):

The transitional phase begins before the imprisoned person’s target release date. In this phase, highly specific reentry plans are created. Within three years of an imprisoned person’s discharge date, the Transition Specialist and Reentry Committee review the ReAP and prepare the imprisoned person to complete programs recommended in the ReAP and enter the Department’s Pre-Release Program.

Every eligible person being released from a state prison, Regional Reentry Program, or a local jail pre-release program participates in the Standardized Pre-Release Curriculum 2020, which is a complete reentry program addressing topics such as work readiness and employment preparation, money management, and victim awareness to name a few.

A major part of the Department’s reentry curriculum calls for returning residents to have identification, social security cards, and birth certificates upon release, all of which increase their chances of being ready for employment right away. During this period, the Transition Specialist begins assembling at least two forms of identification to support the returning resident’s release. If necessary, a replacement birth certificate and/or Social Security card is requested.

When the person in prison is within six months of release, or as part of completing the DPS&C’s Standardized Pre-Release Curriculum 2020, a Louisiana State Identification Card is created through a MOA with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles utilizing these other forms of identification. Additionally, if eligible, a person within three years of release may be directed into a Transitional Work Program (TWP) (formerly work release) following completion of the pre-release curriculum.

Phase III – Staying Home (Probation and Parole/Community Corrections)

The community phase begins the moment the returning resident is released from prison and continues until he/she is discharged from community supervision. In this final phase, it is imperative that returning residents receive support in their transition into the community and in remaining productive members of their communities. This is accomplished by monitoring their behavior, identifying and referring them to community programs, and developing and growing partnerships with volunteer groups, local law enforcement, faith-based groups, and other community and service providers that can assist the returning residents in maintaining stability.

Supervision & Services: It is imperative that returning residents receive support in their transition into the community and help to remain productive members of their communities. This is accomplished by providing flexible and firm supervision, identifying and referring returning residents to community programs, and developing partnerships with volunteers groups, local law enforcement, faith-based groups and other community and service providers that can assist them in maintaining stability.
Revocation Decision Making: The Division of Probation & Parole has implemented a performance grid that offers structured, graduated responses to violations of supervision conditions. Additionally, the Department offers a range of Alternative to Incarceration Programs for people on probation or parole who commit major technical violations.
Discharge & Aftercare: As the returning resident nears the completion of his/her sentence, it is important to identify community stakeholders to assume responsibility for helping the returning resident to achieve case plan goals and continue to make positive, pro-social decisions.

Certified Treatment & Rehabilitative Programs (CTRP)

Over the last decade, the Department organized and standardized programs and services in state prisons addressing criminogenic needs to better prepare returning residents for a successful reintegration into their communities. In 2010, as some local jails began to offer these programs to returning residents, the Department instituted the Certified Treatment and Rehabilitative Program certification process to ensure the programs implemented in state prisons and local jails were evidence-based and standardized. People in prison are provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of evidence-based programming designed to address the criminogenic risks and needs identified in their ReAP.

Providing standardized, evidence-based programming improves public safety, reduces recidivism, decreases victimization, and reduces the financial burden of the correctional system. To provide an incentive for people in prison to take advantage of these programs, a specified amount of credit toward early release is earned by eligible program participants for completing each program. People in prison can earn up to a maximum of 360 days of credit pursuant to LA R.S. 15:828(B). Successful participation and completion in these programs enable the eligible program participants to release to probation/parole supervision earlier and better prepared, also providing a savings to Louisiana taxpayers. The Department maintains a comprehensive listing of all available Certified Treatment and Rehabilitative Programs (CTRP) in a Catalog of Rehabilitative Services.

Education
The importance of providing educational programs in prison is crucial, not only to address the lack of basic education among a significant portion of the incarcerated population but also to aid in their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. Studies show that individuals with a higher level of education are less likely to reoffend, making educational opportunities a key factor in reducing recidivism rates.

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC) is tasked with offering a variety of educational programs to incarcerated individuals, in accordance with state laws (R.S. 15:828).

These programs include:
1. Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Development (GED): These programs aim to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills, providing inmates with the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
2. High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation: For those seeking to complete their education, HSE preparation helps individuals prepare for the High School Equivalency Test, which is essential for many jobs and further education.
3. Literacy Programs: These focus on improving reading and writing skills, which are foundational to further education and vocational training.
4. Career and Technical Education (CTE): These programs provide practical skills in areas such as welding, plumbing, carpentry, and other trades that can improve employment prospects post-release.
5. Special Education: The Louisiana Department of Education Special School District provides special education services to inmates who meet certain criteria, including those with behavioral, emotional, or learning disorders. These services are tailored to meet individual needs, promoting academic achievement at the appropriate level for each student.
6. Post-Secondary Programs: College and university programs offering technical diplomas through master’s degrees.
In addition to these educational offerings, the DPSC is required by law to encourage participation in these programs by ensuring they are accessible and voluntary, but also aligned with the resources available. The goal is to equip inmates with skills that not only enhance their personal development but also contribute to their successful reentry into society, reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

The integration of education and career and technical training is an essential part of correctional programming that benefits both the individuals involved and society as a whole.
Job Skills
Job skills training and employment readiness are pivotal for successful reentry into society for individuals exiting prison. Employment is not only a key factor in reducing recidivism, but also a significant contributor to the stability and self-sufficiency of returning residents. For many, the opportunity to acquire new skills and credentials during incarceration provides a crucial foundation for post-release success.

Importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Prison

A large percentage of people entering prison are unemployed at the time of their arrest, which means many come out with limited employment history or marketable skills. By focusing on career and technical education (CTE), the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) provides inmates with valuable training that significantly enhances their chances of obtaining stable, well-paying jobs after release.

Key Components of CTE in Louisiana Prisons:
1. Stackable Credentials:
  
  Incarcerated individuals in Louisiana have the opportunity to pursue stackable credentials, which are smaller, short-term certifications that can be combined or “stacked” to build up to higher-level qualifications over time.
  
  These certifications are offered through over 18 nationally recognized credentialing bodies, including industry-specific standards such as the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), IC3 (Internet and Computing Core Certification), and ServSafe (for food safety certification).
  
  The credentials earned in these programs are directly tied to real-world job opportunities, making graduates more competitive in the labor market upon reentry.
2. Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs):
  
  Through partnerships with national credentialing bodies, incarcerated individuals can obtain Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs), which are recognized across industries and can serve as a pathway to employment in various fields.
  
  Fields of focus include Heavy Equipment Operation, Computer Coding, Welding, Carpentry, Food Safety, and more.
  
  These certifications provide proof of competency in specialized skills, which helps employers feel confident in hiring individuals with prior convictions.
3. Partnerships with Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS):
  
  Through collaboration with LCTCS, incarcerated individuals can earn college credits in vocational and technical training fields, giving them access to both short-term training and longer-term educational opportunities.
  
  This partnership enhances the quality of the training provided by utilizing LCTCS instructors and curriculum, ensuring that incarcerated individuals are receiving education that is aligned with industry standards.
  
  The collaboration is expanding further with the reinstatement of Pell Grants, which allows more individuals to access the funding necessary to pursue educational opportunities while incarcerated.
The Role of Incarcerated Instructors:

An innovative aspect of the Louisiana CTE program is the use of incarcerated individuals as instructors. Many individuals with prior experience in specific trades are employed to teach others, allowing them to contribute positively to the prison community. This approach benefits both the instructors, who gain teaching experience and a sense of purpose, and the students, who receive training from individuals with real-world expertise.

Expanding Access Through Pell Reinstatement:

The reinstatement of Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals has made it possible for more people in prison to access college-level and vocational education, including CTE programs. This expansion means that even more individuals will be able to benefit from high-quality training programs, which is expected to have a substantial impact on their post-release employment opportunities.

By offering a combination of career and technical education, industry-based certifications, and college-level courses, Louisiana’s correctional facilities are paving the way for returning residents to build successful futures, reducing the cycle of incarceration and fostering positive social change.
Substance Abuse Treatment

73% of people remanded to DPS&C custody have substance abuse issues that contribute to their criminal behavior. It is imperative that the Department provides treatment and education for people in prison with a substance abuse disorder and subsequently link them with community substance abuse treatment services upon release.

People in prison and under community supervision are provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of substance abuse education programs including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Living in Balance, and Celebrate Recovery.

The Steve Hoyle Intensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program, housed at Bossier Parish Correctional Center, provides a therapeutic community approach to house, treat, educate, and reintegrate returning residents with identified substance abuse challenges.
Faith-Based and Values Development Programming

Most people in prison have a values base that is inconsistent with successful adjustment to society. This often results in poor decision-making which is reinforced by antisocial peers and associates. It is imperative for the Department to provide faith-based and character-based programs to prepare them for successful reentry by establishing a spiritual foundation from which they can make sound moral choices.

Faith based programs are shown to have a positive effect on incarcerated individuals by enhancing their personal virtues and sense of purpose which, in turn, reduce anxiety, depression, and levels of aggression (Jang and Johnson, American Journal of Criminal Justice, 2022). Religion contributes to identity transformation, fostering a fresh start built on a new concept of self (Hallett & McCoy, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2015). Those involved with a religious group were found less likely to reoffend than those who consider themselves spiritual but are not practicing with a group, affirming the need for support from chaplains and religious volunteers (Stansfield et.al, Transforming Corrections, 2018). Inmates who are assessed as high or moderate risk require structured, cognitive behavior programs to provide them with pro-social decision-making skills. Examples of such programs offered by the Department are “A Moral Compass” and “Thinking for a Change.”

The mission of the Chaplaincy Department of the LA DPS&C is to provide inmates of all faith groups with spiritual care, moral rehabilitation, and reasonable and equitable opportunities to pursue religious beliefs and practices within the constraints of budgetary limitations and the orderly operation of the facility, resulting in changed lives, reduced recidivism, and a positive impact on society. There are 15 Chaplains in state facilities and three in Short-Term Expanded Program (STEP) facilities with oversight from a State Chaplain.

Chaplains work to increase public safety and reduce recidivism by offering pastoral care and programming to facilitate spiritual transformation. These include classes, worship services, activities, special events, and community partnerships that provide opportunities for inmates to pursue their faith, reconcile relationships, and strengthen families.

Chaplains work with hundreds of volunteers to provide services to inmates and actively recruit volunteers from a variety of faith groups. Volunteers facilitate classes in life skills, spiritual growth, and accountability. They also serve as Volunteer Chaplains from various faiths. It is the policy of the Department to allow as much freedom and opportunity as possible to pursue faith based practices while maintaining the security and well-ordered operation of the facility.

In addition to courses, special events, and worship services, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) offers positive, life-affirming television programming around the clock, free of charge to all state correctional facilities. Daystar Television provides free, faith based programming to two institutions.

Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) became a model for other prison systems in the country when it partnered with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) to open a Bible College on the grounds of the maximum security prison. The seminary program has been expanded to include Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) and offers two college-level degree programs: a two-year associate degree in pastoral ministries and a four-year bachelor’s degree in theology. To date, 255 inmates have graduated from the NOBTS programs. As many of the people imprisoned at these institutions are serving decades-long or life sentences, the Department sees their role in the reentry process as mentors – helping other people transition back into the community. The Department provides inmate peer ministers at four state prisons. These peer ministers visit cellblocks and the infirmary, facilitate classes, and serve as available, positive role models. Some imprisoned people who have earned degrees through the NOBTS program serve as missionaries or chaplains at other prisons to help strengthen religious and moral programming.

Local-Level Reentry Programs for People Serving State Prison Sentences

Approximately 52% of people serving state prison sentences are assigned to local-level (parish) jails. State correctional facilities have historically offered a variety of educational, vocational, and other programming to people in prison while those housed at the local level rarely received such programming. Since people who are housed in local jails account for approximately 87% of the number of people released each year, it was crucial that the Department expand programming at the local level.

Regional Reentry Programs
The Department has established 8 Regional Reentry Programs across the state. These regional reentry programs operate in conjunction with local sheriffs and are designed to reach individuals who are within one year of release or in a Transitional Work Program assignment, and returning to a specific region. This regionalized approach enhances the program’s ability to engage community supports, such as treatment providers, educational opportunities, and family and faith-based programs. Each Regional Reentry Program provides participants with the Standardized Pre-Release Curriculum 2022, two forms of identification, residence and employment plans, and connections to needed post-release resources in the community.

STEP Programs
The Short-Term Expanded Program (STEP), established at Franklin Detention Center, Southwest Correctional Center, and Richland Detention Center, aims to enhance public safety by providing programming tailored to the needs of our repeat offender population. Through intake assessments, we address areas of improvement through personalized programming that offers discipline, support, program enhancement, and emotional recovery assistance to facilitate successful community reintegration. This includes offering skills training and rehabilitative services. Post release, we aim to continue to support our participants by extending our services through supervision and connecting them with community resources to ensure their ongoing success. Eligibility for the program requires individuals to have at least 18 months remaining on their sentence, be classified as third or greater offenders, agree to participate, and have no outstanding detainers or recent aggravated escape or sex offense convictions. Through these efforts, STEP plays a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting safer communities.

Local Jail Corrections Transition Specialists
In 2014, the Department expanded reentry programs and services in local jails by assigning 23Corrections Transition Specialists to those local jails housing the largest number of people serving state prison sentences. These specialists conduct risk/needs assessments, provide CTRP instruction in programs such as Thinking for Change, Anger Management, and Parenting, and assist in transitioning imprisoned people to the Regional Reentry Programs appropriate for them. These specialists create a more structured and evidence-based approach to assessing and addressing the needs of people who are serving state prison sentences but are housed in local jails.

Local Jail Literacy & Adult Basic Education Programs
Thirteen local jails and detention centers currently report adult education students to the Department. These local jails are in turn provided an instructor and resources to provide basic adult education to eligible people. A number of other local jails partner with local school boards to provide adult basic education opportunities for eligible people in their jails.

Federal Pell Grant Expansion

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) continues to expand Federal Pell Grant Funded post-secondary college degree programs to incarcerated individuals statewide. Effective July 1, 2023 through the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act, individuals enrolled in approved prison education programs (PEPs) will be eligible for federal Pell Grants outside a limited pilot program known as the Second Chance Pell Experiment.

The United States Department of Education (US DOE) is currently reviewing and approving programs nationwide.

DPS&C continues to accept applications for Pell Grant programs. Prison education providers (facilities) can apply to offer a federal Pell Grant-funded prison education program (PEP). Click on the link to review the formal letter detailing the DPS&C PEP application process.

Pell Grant Expansion Info

Transitional Work Programs

Certain people in prison may be eligible to enter a transitional work program (TWP) from six months to four years prior to release from incarceration, depending on the offense of conviction. Generally, people convicted of sex offenses are precluded from participation in the transitional work program.

People who are approved for the program are required to work at an approved job and when not working they must return to the structured environment of their assigned facility. Probation and Parole Officers are assigned monitoring responsibilities for contract TWP’s. This may include conducting random drug screens and random shakedowns of the facility. Additionally, probation and parole officers are part of the auditing teams that conduct annual audits of contract TWP facilities.

TWP’s are successful in assisting an imprisoned person with making the transition from prison back into the work force. Approximately 10% to 20% of people in TWP remain with their employer upon release. The TWP is also utilized as a valuable alternative for people who commit a technical parole violation, in lieu of sending them back to prison.

Benefits of TWPs
Placement of an individual in a TWP is much more cost effective than traditional incarceration. TWP participants become taxpayers, not tax consumers and are able to pay victim restitution, child support, court costs, and fines. A long-range reentry objective involves increasing the number of TWP beds.

Find State TWP Locations

Catalog of Rehabilitative Services

Message from Secretary Gary Westcott

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Corrections Services (Department) is committed to operating a safe and secure correctional system that provides public safety focused on a system that encourages and promotes offender rehabilitation through participation in programs to help aide their successful reintegration back into the community. All corrections staff are encouraged to review this document carefully and to utilize it to refer offenders to appropriate programs that will aid in their successful return to society.

This Catalog of Rehabilitative Programs is a blueprint of programs available to offenders housed in correctional facilities in Louisiana. The Department provides a wide array of programs that are available at all state correctional institutions and at local jails which partner with the Department to house offenders remanded to the state’s custody. These programs include basic education, vocational and occupational programming, faith-based opportunities, substance abuse programs, mental health treatment and values development. These programs serve to help prepare offenders for their return to their communities and to remain there as productive, taxpaying citizens. It is important that programs not only be available, but utilized to the fullest.

As part of the Department’s Reentry Initiative, we recognize the need for public and community support from all sectors, including faith-based organizations, employers, treatment providers, education, victims, housing, criminal justice agencies, etc. We will continually develop and strengthen existing partnerships and identify new partners through collaborative approaches to offender reentry.

The Department’s reentry initiatives began to be developed in 2001 through the Corrections Organized for Reentry (CORe) initiative. We are constantly building on that foundation to strengthen the probability that offenders returning to Louisiana’s communities will succeed and become productive law-abiding citizens.

Preparation for an offender’s release has historically been fragmented within institutions and between various sections of an agency, but our focus in recent years has been to achieve a more systematic approach to ensure a continuous transition of offender treatment and training from reception through the completion of community supervision (probation and parole). Thus, correctional staff strive to cultivate partnerships with community agencies, the faith-based community, service providers, employment services, victims, local law enforcement, families, and other significant stakeholders to ensure that an offender’s success continues beyond the Department’s oversight and direction.

Catalog of Rehabilitative Services

Attachment B

Attachment C

Future of Reentry Initiatives

The Department was awarded the Justice Reinvestment Initiative – Maximizing State Reforms grant from the Department of Justice in 2014 to create and implement an automated risk, need, and responsivity tool to inform structured decision making and identify criminogenic needs for all criminal justice stake holders. The Department partnered with Louisiana State University School of Sociology to create and validate the tool, which was named the Targeted Interventions Gaining Enhanced Reentry (TIGER).

The Department partnered with the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency (MCCD) to engage in strategic planning and revision of the reentry case planning continuum known as the Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative. MCCD has worked with several states to improve objective assessment and decision making, as well as case planning and systems integration. An Implementation Steering Team (IST) involving staff from all disciplines and sections of the Department was brought together to work on the creation of a System Blueprint and Logic Model, as well as a Strategic Planning Framework for Prisoner Reentry.

The outcome of the work on the LA-PRI is a unified Reentry Accountability Plan (ReAP) which guides the returning resident and Departmental staff, and also other stakeholders such as courts, the Parole Board, local jails, and community resource providers. This case plan improves pre- and post- release programming and intervention planning, as well as better informs structured decisions of the courts and Parole Board. The LA-PRI IST continues to meet on a quarterly basis to work on the ReAP and ensure that it not only fully utilizes the TIGER, but informs the development and automation of the TIGER.

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