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Committee defers bill that would require monthly publication of local correctional facility data after sheriffs express implementation concerns
Summary
HB 525 would require the Department of Corrections to publish monthly data on local facilities where roughly half of state prisoners are housed; supporters said the information is needed for oversight and policymaking, while sheriffs warned of staffing and software burdens and asked for more time; the committee deferred the bill to allow negotiations.
Supporters told the committee HB 525 would institutionalize the publication of information the Department of Corrections already collects, including local‑facility counts, so policymakers and researchers can evaluate programs and transparency would be consistent across administrations. Ashley Crawford of the Vera Institute testified that the bill simply requires monthly posting of information the department already holds. "This bill ensures that that transparency happens regardless of the administration," she said.
Dr. Kim Mosby of Vera said roughly half of people held for DOC are housed in local facilities and that omitting local data leaves policymakers with an incomplete picture. "We need to understand where and how and what are those counts so that we can have an accurate understanding of what's happening across the state," she said.
The Louisiana Sheriffs Association, represented by Gary Bennett, said sheriffs hold more than 15,000 inmates in local jails and that the bill as drafted would require additional personnel, software changes and substantial work to meet the website‑posting requirements. "If you look at what all is required, our sheriffs are not prepared at this time to do that," Bennett said, while also committing to continue negotiations with proponents.
Jonathan Vining, executive counsel for public safety and corrections, said the department had already posted about 90% of the requested data to its website and committed to fill remaining items shortly, but proponents said the bill would ensure consistent publication in statute rather than leave it to administrative choice.
After discussion and offers to continue working together, a motion to defer HB 525 passed by unanimous consent so stakeholders can iron out details and address sheriffs' operational concerns.
Next steps: HB 525 was deferred for further stakeholder negotiation and possible amendment.
