Smart on Crime Calls for More Oversight

Today, the Smart on Crime Louisiana Steering Committee called on Governor John Bel Edwards and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative Oversight Council to deliver their duties to the legislature and to Louisiana taxpayers. After the passage of landmark criminal justice reforms in 2017, the legislature committed to the public to provide meaningful oversight and ensure promised results were delivered based on the policy reforms.

Unfortunately, the Oversight Council has not met since December 2019 and the required annual oversight report has not been released in more than two years. This is unacceptable. As supporters of the reforms and believers that good public policy requires consistent oversight and transparency, we call on the Governor to ensure proper steps are taken.

Read the Steering Committee’s full public letter to the governor here.