New Louisiana Parole Laws Keep Inmates in Prison Longer, Raising Concerns about Jail Overcrowding

Following the special session on crime, Gov. Jeff Landry signed off on two bills that make it harder for prisoners to get out early. The bills eliminate parole for anyone who commits a crime after August 1 of this year and changes the structure of early release parole hearings. Now, inmates must serve 85% of their sentences before potentially getting a parole hearing. It used to be 35%. Some say the changes will only grow the prison population in Louisiana and cost taxpayers more.