The Jesuit Social Research Institute works to transform the Gulf South through research, education, and advocacy on issues of poverty, race, and migration.
ICYMI: With flurry of dramatic activity in Louisiana Legislature this week, wanted to reup this story from yesterday that may have flown under the radar. Emotional hearing #lagov#lalege https://t.co/MoHLewsWuH via @thenewsstar
Don’t forget to RSVP to join us Friday for “Narrative of Life Sentences: Moving from Excessive Sentences to Second Chances,” presented by The LSU Law Parole and Re-Entry Clinic, in collaboration with @paroleproject and @VisitingRoomPr!
https://t.co/48gtGCSZcF
Over the last few years we have helped several aging lifers receive their second chance. But there are still far too many men and women ages 50, 60, 70+ serving life sentences. We must create more opportunities for those aging in our prisons to have sentence reviews or parole.
After 33 years in prison, Frank received his second chance because of a commutation of sentence. While incarcerated he volunteered with the prison’s hospice program, caring for others in their time of need. “I want to be a helper. I want give back to my community.”
After more than 50 years in prison, Jimmie gained his freedom. Like other 10/6 lifers, the rules were changed after his incarceration and he spent decades longer in prison than he should have. A new law passed earlier this year finally allowed him to have a parole hearing.
The truth about justice reforms:
✅ Decreased Recidivism
✅ Employers gain increased skilled workforce
✅ More Taxpayers
✅ Cost savings reinvested into our communities
Christi is one many examples that justice reforms are working. At 16 years old she was told she would die in prison. Today she is a mentor, a homeowner, and a taxpayer. Proud of you @CheramieChristi
1/ After back-to-back suicides at a juvenile detention center in Louisiana in 2019, @rachel_muel & I spent 3 yrs trying to understand how those deaths could happen. What we found was evidence of abuse, overlooked complaints and a surge in suicide attempts
https://t.co/Tx4KZDXSfJ
“Seeing Buff at the courthouse, energetically assisting his clients and sharing his ready smile with us, always brings me back to the bigger picture.” Check out our new monthly: https://t.co/7kQRrKoQXf
Wonderful piece highlighting the impact of the @VisitingRoomPr. This project is bringing attention to life sentences in Louisiana and putting faces to the names of those who are often only known by a DOC number. https://t.co/TlGYV9VLHL
Fr. Justin Daffron, Interim President of @loyola_nola featured our students at Rayburn in his Town Hall address to the entire college community yesterday. We are grateful to work at an institution that recognizes and uplifts our students as members of the Loyola community.
"What Is the Crime Wave?" offers three perspectives on the recent spike in crime in New Orleans. This event offers the Loyola community the opportunity to understand a situation that affects us all. The event is free and open to the public.
LISTEN: @VisitingRoomPr is highlighting the first-person narratives of people serving life sentences.
Learn more about the project + hear from @love__justice on the increasing use of life sentences in the U.S. https://t.co/NVtkSF66wO