Rather than just build more jails, Louisiana juvenile justice system administrators urge officials to take a closer look at policies to address youth criminal trends, in addition to curbing persistent violence and escapes at state correctional centers.
The state operates seven juvenile prisons around Louisiana, not including the recently remodeled facility at the state penitentiary in Angola. A federal judge ordered the Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) to remove the offenders it was holding there because the converted death row building didn’t provide suitable housing or services.