BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to let some nonviolent drug offenders out of prison early if they complete an intensive treatment program.
The governor says he believes his proposal would reduce the likelihood prisoners would end up back in jail, and also cut prison operating costs.
The measure will be debated by the Legislature in the session that begins in April. It's part of a package of bills aimed at bolstering treatment programs for juvenile and adult offenders and keeping young people out of long-term jail terms.
Jindal announced the proposals Friday.
Two bills would change Louisiana's method of dealing with young people. They would steer children in trouble for truancy and other noncriminal offenses to social services and mental health programs, rather than into juvenile detention facilities.
