Issue Position: Criminal Justice Reform

Issue Position

This issue is close to my heart as I have spoken with so many families with members who have accepted plea deals as defendants because they were not fully aware of the ramifications. Thus, we perpetuate a cycle of crime, rather than promoting rehabilitation and re-entry. We can end this cycle of oppression and inequality with education and good laws that uphold everyone's constitutional rights. I will draft and support legislation to accomplish the following:

Reform our prison system so operators are not incentivized to achieve extremely high occupancy levels;
Make the plea-bargaining process transparent so that defendants know all the ramifications of their decision;
End bail for non-violent crimes and end unfair and inhumane punishment in our state prisons;
Better rehabilitate and prepare our people once they leave prison by requiring private prison operators in Louisiana to fund GED, technical training and educational programs;
Secure adequate funding for public defenders' offices to ensure a fairer criminal justice system.

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