LETTER FROM OUR CEO: “Investing in Education vs. Incarceration”

With this year’s general election behind us, we must now look forward and shift our attention to what could become a statewide ballot measure in March of 2025.

Louisiana lawmakers are now in their third special legislative session of the year, and while it was touted as being focused on tax reform, Senate Bill 2 (SB2) has been quietly moving through the legislature. SB2 will send more underage youth to adult prisons. In April, a new law took effect which lowered the age of adults to 17 years old for criminal offenses.

After passing the Louisiana Senate Chamber, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to remove limitations on the number of crimes for which youth under the age of 17 could be sentenced as adults. This proposed amendment could expand the court’s ability to send minors, ages 14-16, to adult prisons for any offense. Currently, children ages 14-16 already face adult prison sentences for crimes of violence. This amendment will allow children to be sentenced as adults for infractions, such as a school fight or graffiti.

These laws target children and make the essential services that we provide in Operation Girls even more crucial. We provide justice-impacted girls with a safe space to empower them rather than punish them. We understand the unique challenges they may face, and we offer mentorship, academic support, advocacy, financial literacy classes and leadership opportunities.

This amendment would have to be approved by the Louisiana voters as early as next spring if passed by the Louisiana Legislature. The lives of our children are under attack. It is time to push lawmakers to make more investments in education in our children rather than incarceration. Join us in contacting your local legislators and telling them to say “no” to SB2.

In Solidarity,

Syrita Steib

Founder, President & CEO

Operation Restoration