Louisiana parole panel grants releases for several inmates, denies others pending treatment or eligibility

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Committee on Parole met Nov. 13 and voted on parole requests from inmates at correctional facilities statewide, granting several paroles with conditions and denying others that board members said lacked completed treatment, prerelease programming or eligibility.

The three-member panel, chaired by Cheryl Renata, focused much of its review on whether petitioners had finished required treatment programs and whether approved residence plans and victim-safety measures were in place. "I'm prepared to vote. I'm going to vote to grant your parole conditioned upon completion of the *** offender treatment and prerelease with approved plans and with increased substance abuse testing and a curfew," Miss LeDoux said during the hearing of Merlin James Como, whose parole the panel approved with these conditions.

Why it matters: Parole decisions balance public safety, victim impact and the state's rehabilitation goals. The panel repeatedly stressed treatment completion and prerelease programming as prerequisites for supervised reentry, and often required DOC to arrange transfers so inmates could complete mandated programs.

What the board decided

- Merlin James Como (DOC# 441810): Granted parole conditioned on completion of sex-offender treatment phases, documented prerelease programming, increased substance-abuse testing and a curfew. Chair Renata and both panel members concurred; the board asked DOC to facilitate any transfers needed so Como can finish required programs.

- Melissa Gay (DOC# 612179): Despite opposition from the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office, the board granted parole conditioned on completion of a long-term DOC substance-abuse program, prerelease training, random drug screens and full-time employment as part of aftercare. The DA's office had told the board it was opposed to early release, citing prior convictions and probation opportunities the petitioner had not used.

- Joseph/James Pounders (DOC# 773844): Denied. Board members cited incomplete prerelease programming and concerns about the petitioner's understanding of the offense and victim impact; the panel recommended offender treatment and a mental-health evaluation.

- Ricardo Holmes (DOC# 591660): Denied. Panelists cited Holmes's extensive history of domestic-abuse charges and "overwhelming opposition" from victims and the community; board members recommended a domestic-violence offender program if a transfer can be arranged.

- Manuel Esparza (DOC# 762006): Denied as ineligible for parole consideration. The panel found he did not meet education and prerelease requirements under current law and noted victim opposition; an interpreter assisted at his hearing.

- Lester Cipriano (DOC# 585060): Granted parole but first required to complete a DOC substance-abuse treatment program and subject to increased random drug screening and aftercare conditions on release.

- Jamie Duane Bridal / Raimel (DOC# 750040): Granted parole conditional on completion of prerelease programming and compliance with aftercare recommended by the Steve Hoyle reentry/substance program; the panel requested maximum supervision in the community from probation and parole officers.

- Renee Williams (DOC# 553136): Granted parole pending verification of an approved residence plan and compliance with the Steve Hoyle aftercare plan; Williams's earlier release had been rescinded for lack of an approved residence.

What supporters and opponents said

Family members and program managers gave examples of post-release housing, employment and program supports. For example, Como's sisters outlined sober-living options and community contacts they said would accept him; a program manager described Bridal as a class facilitator who regularly attended and helped others.

Prosecutors and district attorneys repeatedly urged caution. "The state is opposed to an early release," an assistant from the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office told the board in Melissa Gay's case, citing prior convictions and a pattern of drug-related offenses.

Next steps

Grants are conditioned on completion of the specific programs and approved residence plans the board recorded; DOC and probation/parole will verify program completion and residence approvals before releases occur. Denied petitioners were recommended for targeted programming and, where appropriate, mental-health evaluations; the board noted they may be reconsidered after completing recommended treatment.

The Committee on Parole handled the day's cases across multiple facilities and closed the session after signing off.