Parole committee denies parole for Kendrick Hall, cites law‑enforcement opposition and need for programming

The Committee on Parole denied the parole application of Kendrick Hall at the April 2 hearing. Hall appeared at the hearing held by the committee at DOC headquarters for cases at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). The committee cited law‑enforcement opposition and the inmate’s need for more programming as the basis for denial.

Warden Daryl Benoit told the panel Hall is in maximum security, has mental‑health needs and currently lives in a single‑occupancy cell; Benoit said Hall has been on substantial mental‑health medication and that staff plan to try to reconnect him with family and increase one‑on‑one mental‑health services. The warden confirmed Hall has not had visits since incarceration and that his current status limits access to in‑prison programming.

Committee members said the lack of program participation and strong opposition from law enforcement weighed against release. One member said the vote to deny reflected "strong law enforcement opposition," and another member urged Hall to participate in available programs and step‑down opportunities to improve his chances for future consideration. The panel voted to deny parole; committee members urged DOC and mental‑health staff to pursue programming and family reconnection to prepare Hall for a future review.

The committee framed the denial as conditional on Hall taking steps to engage in programming and improve his readiness for release; officials emphasized the need for him to move out of maximum security and participate in treatment before another parole consideration.

The denial was announced in the hearing and the panel closed the item.