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The Department of Corrections is celebrating the one year anniversary of the 2017 criminal justice reforms that saw Louisiana lose its title as the incarceration capital of the world. The department says the total prison population is at a 20 year low. But Outgoing President of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Ricky Babin says he has some concerns about who’s been let out.

Cut 3 (07) “various crimes”

Correction says the changes saved the state 12.2 million this year, with 262 million in savings expected over the decade. The total supervised population on parole has fallen by 7,000 people.

Corrections says the reduction in the non-violent prison population, and the reinvestment of funds into new programs for inmates will help reduce recidivism and cut down on crime.  Babin says just because someone is labeled nonviolent by the system, doesn’t mean they aren’t potentially dangerous.

Cut 4 (06) “last conviction”

The Department notes that 120 of those released on November 1st, 2017 are back in custody. Babin says five of those released as a result of the reforms have been rearrested for homicide.

The new parole system has seen the total supervised population fall by 7,000 people due to reforms that allow offenders to work towards goals that will reduce their time in the system. Babin says he’s not exactly happy about the shortened parole periods.

Cut 5 (09)  “the best” 

Corrections estimates the parole reforms will reduce the number of people being supervised by 12 percent over the next decade.

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Curators with the Louisiana State Musuem opened a time capsule today found underneath a recently removed confederate monument in New Orleans. The contents of the copper box revealed Confederate money, flags, a US medal and other items.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s amazing that people of that time period had the foresight to preserve these items for people of today.

Cut 6 (10) “…is pretty incredible”.

Nungesser says the contents of the box could potentially be worth big bucks today.

Cut 7 (09) “…to be restored.”

Nungesser says the discussion has already begun of starting a new time capsule to showcase what life is like in 2018.

Cut 8 (10) “…any other year before.”

The time capsule is said to be 105 years old.

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Louisiana has begun its effort to extend foster care services for kids in the system up to age 21, from the current age limit of 18. The program got legislative approval and funding during the legislative season with widespread support. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the age extension will end up changing a lot of kids lives for the better.

Cut 9 (11)  “the state.”

Louisiana joins nearly 30 other states who have increased the foster care age to 21.

The extension costs the state about one million dollars a year, which allows it to get access to three million dollars in additional federal funding to help cover the costs. Walters says she’s glad the state prioritized the foster care system in the midst of some difficult fiscal cliff negotiations.

Cut 10 (07) “turmoil”

The previous age limit of 18 sometimes resulted in teens being kicked out of the program and their foster families losing funding before they had even finished high school. Walters says raising the age limit will help kids stay in school and establish themselves, so they don’t hit the same pit falls that many other participants have had in the past.

Cut 11 (12) “the system. ”