Louisiana’s Tough-on-Crime Policies Stand to Cost Taxpayers Millions More for Years to Come

The headlines are filled with tales of rising crime rates, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has seized on this narrative to justify his tough-on-crime agenda. Beneath the rhetoric lies a more sinister reality – one that promises to bankrupt the state and further entrench its reputation as the nation’s incarceration capital.

Landry’s policies have been years in the making, but it’s only now becoming clear just how costly they will be for taxpayers. The proposed $798 million corrections budget, a 9% increase from the previous year, is the first indication that the rising inmate population resulting from Landry’s policies is taking its toll on Louisiana’s finances.

Critics have long warned of the devastating consequences of his approach – and it’s not just the human cost that’s alarming. The Crime and Justice Institute predicts that by 2034, Landry’s rollback of inmates’ ability to shave time off their sentences through good behavior will double the size of the state’s prison population, double the number of nonviolent offenders being held, and cost an estimated $2 billion for new prisons to accommodate the growing population.

This is no surprise to those familiar with Louisiana’s history. The state has long struggled with its reputation as a hub for incarceration, and Landry’s policies are only exacerbating this problem. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers passed a package of bills in 2017 designed to reduce the number of nonviolent offenders behind bars – with remarkable success. By 2021, the number of nonviolent offenders in state prisons and jails had dropped by 55%, and the overall prison population by 26%.

However, Landry’s administration rejected these reforms, opting instead for a tough-on-crime approach that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. The results are predictable – a rising inmate population, increased costs, and a further erosion of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The impact of these policies is already being felt in Louisiana’s prisons and budget. Since Landry took office, the number of state prisoners has increased by about 8%. His budget indicates that this trend will continue, with the governor asking for an additional 688 beds at the state’s largest prison, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola – a move that will require the hiring of 150 correctional officers.

The elimination of parole and medical parole has put additional pressure on overcrowded local jails, where more than half of Louisiana’s inmates are held instead of state-run prisons. This is not just about numbers; it’s about people – and the impact Landry’s policies are having on their lives.

As the debate over crime and punishment continues to rage, it’s essential to remember that there are consequences to these choices – both for individuals and for society as a whole. Landry’s policies may have won him plaudits from some quarters, but they are a recipe for disaster, one that promises to bankrupt the state and further entrench its reputation as a hub for incarceration.

What this means for Louisiana is clear: a continued cycle of mass incarceration, increased costs, and a further erosion of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. It’s time for Landry to take a step back and consider the long-term consequences of his actions – before it’s too late.