Program Authorization: R.S. 15:821-840.2 and R.S. 36:401-409
The mission of the Incarceration Program is to provide for the custody, control, and care of adjudicated offenders through enforcement of the laws and implementation of programs designed to ensure the safety of the public, staff, and inmates.
The goals of the Incarceration Program are:
1. Maximize public safety through appropriate and effective correctional custodial and supervisory programs.
2. Provide for the safety of correctional staff and inmates by maintaining an organized and disciplined system of operations that promotes stability in the institution.
3. Ensure that basic services relating to adequate food, clothing, and shelter are provided to the inmate population.
4. Provide the maximum available bed space allowable by the State Fire Marshal, Department of Health and Hospitals, American Correctional Association requirements, budgeted resources, and good correctional practices.
5. Protect the investment by the state in the facility by providing an adequate maintenance program for all buildings and equipment and by following Division of Administration property control regulations.
The Incarceration Program encompasses all security and related costs. It also includes other services in keeping with the goal of providing for the custody and care of persons committed to the department's custody, such as the classification of inmates and related record-keeping, provision of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and laundry services for the inmate population, maintenance and support of the facility and other equipment, and Project Clean-Up. Project Clean-Up, a cooperative effort between the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Corrections Services, and the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), involves inmate crews for litter pickup and DOTD work crews for mowing and litter collection. The project is a direct result of the commitment by Governor and Mrs. Foster to improve the appearance of roads and highways across the state.
The Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment (IMPACT) was established at EHCC in February 1987. It is one of several "boot camp" operations in the United States today. IMPACT is a two-part program, consisting of a period of 90 to 180 days of highly regimented, tightly structured incarceration (characterized by military drills and ceremony, physical training, strict discipline, and intense work programs) followed by a period of intensive parole supervision. The main purpose of IMPACT is to provide a satisfactory alternative to the long-term incarceration of primarily youthful first and second offenders; this will help relieve prison crowding conditions that exist throughout Louisiana. Louisiana's IMPACT program has received both national and international attention and has been featured in several newspapers and on national television. EHCC's Impact program received ACA accreditation in August 1994.
OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. In FY 1998-99, the Incarceration Program will provide for the secure confinement and support of offenders committed to that institution while maintaining a safe working environment for staff.
1 Data for this indicator were not compiled during this fiscal year.
2. In FY 1998-99, the Incarceration Program will operate the IMPACT Program as an effective alternative to long-term incarceration of certain first and second offenders.
Outcome Indicator: A 1993 evaluation of shock incarceration (boot camp) programs in eight states, which was prepared for the National Institute of Justice, found that Louisiana's IMPACT program was one of only three programs in which evidence was found that the program reduced recidivism. It was also noted that those IMPACT graduates who do recidivate are more likely to do so for technical parole violations as opposed to new felony convictions. Study models determined that between 75% to 100% of Louisiana's boot camp entrants would have otherwise served time in prison and the study concluded that the IMPACT program reduced the need for prison beds.
1 Recidivism is defined as the return to Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) custody following conviction for a new felony or technical revocation of supervision after having been released fromDPS&C incarceration through one of the following mechanisms: parole, goodtime, goodtime/parole supervision (dimunition of sentence), full-term, court order, or probation (split sentence; offender sentenced to probationary time after serving custody time for same sentence).
RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM
This program is funded with state general fund, interagency transfers, and fees and self-generated revenues. The interagency transfers are derived from the Department of Transportation and Development for security costs associated with providing inmate road cleanup crews. The fees and self-generated revenues are derived from the following: (1) employee purchase of meals; (2) funds received from the inmate canteen for reimbursement of administrative costs for managing the inmate canteen account; (3) funds received from private entities for the salaries of correctional officers who provide security for the telephone dismantling program; (4) funds received from Ascension Parish for the cost of security coverage of inmate work crews; (5) funds received from the inmate canteen for overtime of security officers assigned to the inmate canteen; (6) funds received from pay telephone commissions; (7) funds received from employees for housing; (8) funds received for reimbursement for identification cards and copier use; (9) miscellaneous expenses reimbursed by the Inmate Welfare Fund; and (10) medical co-payments required by inmates for certain medical visits and prescriptions.
The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 99.4% of the existing operating budget. It represents 84.9% of the total request ($22,692,320) for this program. The personnel reduction is due to the elimination of 10 (ten) vacant positions. The decrease in the recommended level is primarily attributed to the attrition adjustment. The elimination of the vacant positions along with the attrition adjustment are recommended to provide the necessary adjustments needed to fully fund the 620 recommended positions.
ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS