How do we Prevent Repeat Offenses to Reduce Louisiana’s Crime Rate?
Louisiana’s crime rate is persistently higher than the national average, though it is improving. Crime has decreased from the highs of the post-COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, and remains consistently lower than the record highs of the mid-1990s. One thing is certain: to improve Louisiana’s crime rate, we must be smarter on crime, because the “tough on crime” policies of the past are clearly not working.
One of the main causes of a higher crime rate is that those involved in the criminal justice system early on have a high likelihood of recidivating (committing crime again). According to data from the Louisiana Department of Corrections, 30 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals return to prison within three years, and 40 percent within five years.
Recidivism occurs when someone who has been convicted of a crime, served their sentence, is released from prison, commits another crime (or parole violation), and returns to prison. This contributes to a large portion of the crime rate in Louisiana.
There are smart solutions to reduce the recidivism rate in Louisiana, which would reduce the overall crime rate. Some of these solutions have already been enacted in law but could use additional help with implementing them in practice, and additional oversight to ensure the programs are being run properly.
The focus for reducing post-incarceration crime should be on successful reentry programming—that is programs for incarcerated individuals to help them succeed when they are released from prison and return to their community. The increased use of “good time” enacted in 2017 allowed for incarcerated individuals to earn an early release if they participate in and complete reentry programs. These include counseling programs for substance abuse, family reunification, anger management, and so on. The programs also include educational and vocational training, such as earning a high school diploma, a certification in a trade or vocation, or even an associate or bachelor’s degree. These programs have proven in other states to help offenders achieve success upon release by obtaining a job and contributing to society.
Secondly, just because offenders can earn an early release for completing these programs doesn’t mean that they do not still serve out their full sentence. Generally, the remainder of the sentence is served through community supervision, or parole. Research has shown that the increased use of proper community supervision can lead to more successful reentry into society, helping the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into their family and community, find employment, and seek further support services from community organizations.
A final way to ensure a successful reentry for the formerly incarcerated is to remove unnecessary barriers. This can include, but is certainly not limited to, ensuring they have proper identification upon exit from prison, removing barriers to social assistance and housing, and removing barriers to work, such as limits to occupational licensing.
Many solutions to reducing recidivism have already been enacted into law. The key is to ensure that state and local agencies are implementing the programming effectively, partnering with successful community organizations involved in this line of work, and providing oversight and consequences when programs are not running properly. By giving formerly incarcerated individuals the tools they need to successfully reenter and become a flourishing member of society, Louisiana’s crime rate will decrease further, once and for all.
