2 days Ago By Julie O'Donoghue ( Louisiana Illuminator)
BATON ROUGE, La. - Around 70 mental health professionals and educators in Louisiana have signed a letter urging state lawmakers to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that could send more young teenagers to adult prisons. “[W]e are greatly concerned that young people would be denied age-appropriate, constitutionally protected services and interventions should this legislation pass,” reads the letter signed by social workers, therapists and counselors from around the state.
“Furthermore, there is preventative work that can be done in our schools and communities such as increasing access to mental and behavioral healthcare, creating more recreational and career development opportunities and ensuring that the basic needs of all children in Louisiana are being met,” the letter said. During a special legislative session focused on tax policy, state lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 2. It would lift limitations on the types of crimes for which people under the age of 17 can be sentenced as if they are adults.
It would allow lawmakers to pass new laws to send 14- , 15- and 16-year-olds to adult prison for a wider set of crimes without having to seek statewide voter approval. Read more from our partners at the Louisiana Illuminator here..
