Louisiana could benefit considerably from changes to the way in which convicted criminals are sentenced. Under the current determinate sentencing scheme, nonviolent offenders who pose little or no threat to society are routinely sentenced to long and costly terms in prison with no opportunity for parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Sentencing reforms could include reducing the length of mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent offenses, expanding parole eligibility for certain nonviolent offenses, and limiting the scope of the habitual offender law's application.
Criminal Justice
West Virginia can reduce recidivism — Virginia shows how
For decades, America’s response to crime has largely been measured by the number of prison beds it could fill. Politicians competed to be “tough on crime,” while correctional systems focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Yet, despite spending billions of taxpayer dollars on incarceration, many states continue to struggle with high recidivism rates and revolving...
July 16, 2026