9 years ago
I began my career as an Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans where I prosecuted violent offenders and drug traffickers. I was proud of the work that I did there and I continue to benefit from the education I received in those courtrooms. But the lesson that has stuck with me the most is that, although we’ve been tough on crime, we haven’t been smart on crime. In Louisiana, we’ve somehow ended up with the highest incarceration rate in the world but still struggle with public safety and recidivism. We’ve sent more and more nonviolent offenders to prison while at the same time cutting funding for effective prison alternatives, programs ...
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9 years ago
“‘Representative Leger and I finally found something we can agree on,’ Denham Springs Republican Valarie Hodges said, with a laugh.
‘Love it!’ New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger responded.”
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9 years ago
“Change is never easy in government, especially when it comes to crime and punishment. But perpetuating the same losing pattern – and getting the same disappointing results – is not a strategy, it’s a waste of taxpayer money.
The people of Louisiana deserve better. And it’s time for their elected representatives – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – to deliver.”
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9 years ago
“On Wednesday, New Orleans Rep. Walt Leger III, a Democrat who has been closely involved with the criminal justice overhaul, presented his plan to obligate the projected savings to sorely-needed public safety programs intended to reduce crime and assist victims.”
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9 years ago
We incarcerate more people per capita than any other state, and yet, we are still suffering from high crime rates.
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