Louisiana lawmakers support funding for juvenile detention centers

(The Center Square) – Juvenile justice in Louisiana lacks the funding needed to properly support the increasing number of youth offenders.

That's why legislators during the first meeting of the Criminal Justice Priority Funding Commission on Monday discussed ways to prioritize money for juvenile expenses.

The commission was created in June when the governor signed Senate Bill 431. The bill gives the committee the power to decide on another important piece of the legislation – grants.

The legislation creates a specific fund in the treasury to provide for the design, construction, site purchase, refurbishment, site work, and other necessary items or materials for the building, repair or refurbishment of fully operational juvenile detention centers to house both preadjudicated and postadjudicated juveniles.

Lawmakers agreed the broader goal of the commission should be getting back to a regional model for juveniles so they can stay close to their community.

Currently, there are not enough facilities to house the juveniles in their respective cities, which separates them from their families or any support system, and therefore increases the chance of recidivism.

"We want family involvement and family visitation," said Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek.

The committee must make quick progress considering another bill Cloud authored in March during the special crime session. Senate Bill 4 was a part of a tough on crime package that increases sentencing lengths for juveniles with multiple offenses of violent crimes.

In a hearing during the crime session, Cloud contended that the cost to society of letting teenagers go without longer sentences is much more than the cost of housing a juvenile.

Additionally, data from the Office of Juvenile Justice shows the number of youth served in Louisiana has steadily gone up since 2020, including a 24% increase in combined nonsecure and secure youth since 2022.

The commission is working on a website to accept applications from relevant entities for this fund, and SB431 states requests must start being accepted no later than Sept. 1.

Within 45 days of the end of the application period, a separate division working for the committee will submit ratings of proposed projects and recommendations for funding to the commission.

The bill also ensures that beginning Jan. 1 the committee shall start approving projects based on those recommendations, including submitting quarterly status updates and construction progress reports.