News: 02/19/2025 Louisiana’s incarcerated youth lose their holiday furloughs. Senators ask why. by Julie O’Donoghue, From the States.
Since the end of last year, the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice has blocked incarcerated minors and young adults entitled to regular home visits, called furloughs, from visiting their families during major holidays.
The reason: There were too many problems, such as curfew violations and escapes. Parades and large family gatherings, in particular, have led to violations, Courtney Myers, assistant secretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice, told the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children.
The agency implemented a “blackout” on holiday visits, but young people granted furloughs are still allowed to go home right before or right after those dates, Myers said.
Note: Perhaps a significant problem for families is that working parents may be off only on the holiday, leaving children allowed to be home before or after with less time with parents and less supervision.