Parole denied for Tiffany Woods after split panel vote; DA’s office opposed release
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Summary
The Committee on Parole denied parole for Tiffany Woods by less than unanimous vote after family, prison staff and the Louisiana Parole Project urged release, while the Caddo Parish DA’s victim-assistance director strongly opposed it citing the infant’s malnourishment and evidence presented at trial.
The Louisiana Committee on Parole denied parole for Tiffany Woods during a Feb. 10, 2026 hearing after a split vote in which one panelist supported release with conditions and others opposed based on the severity of the original offense and victim-assistance testimony.
Woods, appearing remotely from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, is serving a 36-year sentence for second-degree murder, with a parole eligibility date recorded as Sept. 18, 2026. Supporters — including family members, the Louisiana Parole Project and prison staff — urged the panel to consider her rehabilitation. Warden and staff described Woods as low risk with a strong disciplinary record and noted she had completed seminary study. Her son spoke by Zoom about her remorse and the family’s readiness to support reentry; the Louisiana Parole Project outlined a transition plan with housing, counseling and employment supports.
Opposition came from Leon Fitzgerald, director of victim assistance for the Caddo Parish district attorney’s office, who delivered an emotional account of the infant victim’s condition. Fitzgerald cited medical records and photographs in the file, saying the child was emaciated and attesting that doctors had testified the child could have been saved. He rejected the argument that Hurricane Katrina or displacement excused the conduct and urged the board to prioritize the victim’s interests.
During deliberations one panelist, identified as Mister Barra, said Woods had completed many programs, had a low risk score and recommended parole to the Louisiana Parole Project with conditions including at least one year of mental-health, substance-abuse and parenting classes and stable employment. Another panelist, Stapleton, said the evidence presented by the DA and the condition of the child prevented her from granting parole. The chair explained a unanimous vote was required for parole in this case and, because that threshold was not met, the board denied the request.
The panel recorded that Woods has no victim opposition listed in the record but law-enforcement opposition was present; the transcript shows the decision was not unanimous and the panel therefore denied parole at the hearing.
Next steps: The transcript does not show a new rehearing date; Woods’ parole eligibility remains as recorded in the file.
