Hundreds of prisoners could be released early, but staying out of prison will be an uphill battle.
Louisiana finally has a shot at losing its title of incarceration capital of the world after the legislature approved a wide-ranging criminal justice reform package Monday.
Though the legislation was significantly watered down in the process, it is expected to reduce the state’s prison population by 10 percent over ten years and save $262 million. The bills took on the state’s disproportionately harsh sentences, shortening prison and probation time for some nonviolent and drug offenses. Hundreds of people could become eligible for early release through parole.