Crime remains a top concern in Louisiana, outpacing even economic worries for two years running, according to recent surveys. Yet, alongside this demand for safety, Louisianians overwhelmingly support a justice system that balances accountability with rehabilitation – 86% favor alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenses, and 65% want judges to have more sentencing discretion.

This week, I was proud to work with Smart on Crime Louisiana and the Pelican Institute to release The Future of Justice: A Conservative Vision to Enhance Public Safety in Louisiana, a report that charts a path forward to meet these dual priorities.

Conservatives know that rule of law matters, and crime should clearly have consequences. But toughness alone isn’t strength; it’s failure if offenders return to crime. Louisianians want a system that works – one that punishes but also restores. Our report proposes four pillars to achieve this: empowering law enforcement with transparency and accountability; using data to pinpoint effective programs; creating pathways for the formerly incarcerated to rejoin society; and reforming sentencing laws for fairness and fiscal responsibility. Here’s how lawmakers can act.

First, expand reentry and drug courts. These programs, proven to reduce recidivism, remain underutilized in Louisiana. Only 47.6% of judicial districts offer drug courts, and just 19% have reentry courtsn– lagging far behind neighbors like Alabama and Tennessee, where 100% of districts provide both. Alabama’s Pre-Release and Reentry Program, for instance, slashed recidivism from 30% to 4%, saving money and strengthening communities. For every dollar spent, drug courts return $2.21 – enough to hire a new police officer – or $3.36 for high-risk offenders, nearly a year’s school supplies for a classroom. Louisiana could fund these programs through targeted grants and training, ensuring every district can offer these pathways to redemption.

Second, adopt a felony classification system. With over 600 felony offenses, Louisiana’s current sentencing framework is a maze of inconsistencies. Stealing $4,950 worth of goods carries a five-year maximum, but $5,050 – barely $100 more – doubles that to 10. Louisiana’s neighbors show a better way: Arkansas sorts felonies into Classes Y through D, Florida ranks them from third-degree to capital, Tennessee uses A to E, and Texas spans state jail to first-degree levels – all structured systems inspired by clear models like the Model Penal Code. A tiered system, as urged by the 2018 Louisiana Felony Class System Task Force, would standardize penalties, cut disparities, and bring clarity and predictability to a system James Madison might have called too “voluminous” to read or “incoherent” to understand.

Third, improve data collection. In 2022, only 58% of Louisiana’s law enforcement agencies reported crime data to the FBI, with just 37% submitting a full year’s worth – placing the state behind 39 others. Better data, backed by training and annual reporting mandates, would show what’s working, where crime festers, and how to deploy resources smartly. Without it, we’re guessing in the dark.

Finally, address the overuse of fines and fees that many can never afford to pay and are a fiscally irresponsible way of funding the state’s courts. Louisiana’s 600-plus charges – funding judicial salaries and operations – also create an appearance of conflict, as seen in federal rulings like Caliste v. Cantrell and Cain v. White. Repealing obscure penalties, capping fees, and expanding ability-to-pay assessments would restore trust and fairness.

These reforms aren’t about going soft – they’re about getting smart. They uphold the rule of law while offering second chances, saving taxpayer dollars, and building safer neighborhoods. Louisiana can lead as a model of conservative justice: firm, fair, and forward-looking. Lawmakers should seize this moment to act. The full report is available at pelicanpolicy.org – let’s start the conversation today.

Jordan Richardson is a Visiting Scholar at the Pelican Institute and author of The Future of Justice.