Members of a state task force formed to make recommendations on reducing the state's prison population will vote today on justice reform proposals that would reduce the inmate population by 13% over the next 10 years.
The population would be lowered through a series of steps that include expanding probation and parole and reclassifying felonies to provide consistency in sentencing.
Currently, 35,682 inmates are locked up in Louisiana prisons. Under the proposals made by the task force, that number could be reduced by well over 4,000 by 2027.
In 2015, 81% of the state's prisoners were non-violent offenders. The state's incarceration rate is 816 prisoners per 100,000 residents.
It's estimated that the changes could produce over $300 million dollars in savings for the state over 10 years.
If approved, the recommendations will be sent to Governor Edwards and the legislature.