Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative
When individuals return from prison, their likelihood of contributing positively to their community relies on their ability to secure meaningful employment, find a place to live, and have the education and resources necessary to advance in life. A task increasingly challenging in Louisiana. Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative
#1
state ranking for imprisonment rate
1/3
of individuals released from prison will return within one year
75%
of formerly incarcerated individuals are still jobless up to a year after release
We’re on a mission to enhance public safety and reduce costs by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed for each offender – delivered through state and local collaboration – from the time of their incarceration through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.
Continuum of CareClick to enlarge |
Three-Phase Approach
The successful execution of the LA-PRI model involves three phases through the life of a prisoner’s sentence:
Phase 1: Getting Ready The Institutional Phase Assessment & Prison Programming
Phase 2: Transitioning The Transitional Phase Release Preparation and Collaborative Case Planning
Phase 3: Staying Home The Community Phase Treatment & Supervision Plan
Jefferson Parish
In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s LA-PRI operates as the regional Reentry program in Jefferson Parish in conjunction with local officials.
In the fall of 2022, the LA-PRI initiative in Jefferson Parish received a grant from the Department of Justice to engage in a comprehensive community reentry planning process. The process is undertaken to collaboratively create the Comprehensive Community Reentry Plan for Jefferson Parish.
View the Jefferson Parish Comprehensive Community Reentry Plan.
2023
87.5%
of LA-PRI participants in Jefferson Parish did not recidivate
46.2%
of LA-PRI participants in Jefferson Parish secured permanent employment
35.7%
of legal cases of been resolved for LA-PRI participants in Jefferson Parish
Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative in Jefferson Parish
Serves as a model and a framework to help improve public safety. Life can be difficult. It can always present you with certain circumstances that are challenging to navigate, so imagine if on top of that you have a record and you’ve been released from prison…
Jefferson Parish Council
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of New Orleans
Louisiana Public Health Institute
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center For Social Justice
Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Ronnie Slone
Community Co-Chair – Business and Industry, President of the Slone Group
Kewana Ceasor
Probation and Parole Community Co-Chair, Re-Entry Program Manager - Jefferson Parish Probation and Parole
Captain Byron Williams, Ed.S
Institution Co-Chair - Director - Southeastern Regional Reentry Program, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office
Mary Ambrose
Intermediary Organization - Representative, Chief Impact Officer – United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Joe Dier
Probation and Parole Co-Chair - Jefferson Parish Probation and Parole - East, District Administrator, EJD
Jon Reeves
Probation and Parole Co-Chair - Jefferson Parish Probation and Parole - West, District Administrator, JPD
Stephanie Mills
Steering Team Member, Reentry Program Director – CCANO
Twanda Lewis
LA-PRI Regional Program Manager
Victoria Coy
Jefferson Parish Community Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish
In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s LA-PRI operates as the regional Reentry program in St. Tammany Parish in conjunction with local officials. United Way and partners began serving St. Tammany Parish in 2021-2022.
2023
78.8%
of LA-PRI participants in St. Tammany Parish did not recidivate
90%
of LA-PRI participants in St. Tammany Parish secured permanent employment
77.3%
of legal cases of been resolved for LA-PRI participants in St. Tammany Parish
22nd Judicial District Court
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
Church of The King
Florida Parishes Human Services Authority
GEO Reentry
NAMI St. Tammany
Northshore Technical Community College
Samaritan Center
St. Tammany Probation and Parole
Tri-Parish Works
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Upward Community Services
Mike Phelps
St. Tammany Probation & Parole, Re-Entry Program Manager, Probation and Parole Co-Chair
Josh Holliday
Church of The King Prison Ministry Pastor, Community Co-Chair, Church of The King
Deputy Chief Douglas Sharp
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Institution Co-Chair, St. Tammany Parish Jail
The Honorable William H. Burris
22nd Judicial Court
Stephanie Mills
Re-Entry Program Director, CCANO
A Change of Heart: Mike's Story
At the beginning of Mike Phelps’s 23-year law enforcement career, he saw the men and women in prison as people who deserved to be there. He saw them as the problem. Yet after seeing those he put in prison recidivate, he started to dig deeper into the issue and understand the barriers...
Life After Incarceration: Jeff's Story
After going through a difficult season in life, Jeff Lemoine found himself addicted to drugs and alcohol and ended up incarcerated. While there, his faith helped him find clarity about his situation. “The last time I was incarcerated, God really spoke to me. I knew I was done with that life. I had nothing left,” he said...
To learn more about LA-PRI, contact info@unitedwaysela.org.
Click here for more information about the statewide LA-PRI Framework.