The 19th Judicial District Court (JDC) Re-Entry Program in Louisiana focuses on the provision of a seamless stream of services to offenders from the time of their sentencing and entry into the Department of Corrections to their transition into post-incarceration society as a returning citizen. 

The “lifers” teach program participants life skills like anger management, parenting, and managing finances.  The life skills supplement the educational component where offenders learn trades.  Upon their release, the 19th JDC Re-Entry staff coordinate Court and supervised probation visits as well as work to identify needed community resources.

How does the Re-Entry Program Work?

The 19th JDC Re-Entry Program works in conjunction with Angola Prison and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to provide for eligible, non-violent offenders to acquire the vocational training and life skills necessary to return to society successfully.  Included in the process is:


Step 1.  Sentencing/Referral

To participate, an offender must be sentenced to serve ten years or less, with a minimum of two years “in custody”.  Offenders must be referred by one of the criminal judges in the 19th JDC with the consent of the Assistant District Attorney, defense counsel, and the Reentry Court Judge.

Step 2.  Assessment

Upon admission to Angola/LCIW, the Department of Corrections will administer a battery of assessments evaluating risk, level of education, prior vocational training, mental health and substance abuse history.

Step 3.  Action Plan I

Phase I  is the “in-custody” educational component. Once accepted, an offender must obtain a GED if he does not have a GED or a high school diploma.  He must satisfactorily complete the coursework for at least one of the offered areas of instruction.

Step 4.  Action Plan II

Release to Phase II  “After care” component.  After successful completion of the “in custody” program, the offender will be placed in an intensive “after care” program supervised by Judge Trudy M. White with the support of the Division of Probation and Parole.  As part of the “after care” program, the Court will partner with numerous vendors who will provide jobs, housing, transportation and other support services tailored to the specific offender’s needs.

Step 5.  Follow-up 

Offenders will be required to report on a periodic basis throughout the length of their probationary period.  Should the returning citizen not satisfactorily complete the probationary conditions, his probation will be revoked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO THE 19TH JDC REENTRY PROGRAM WEBSITE.