Key facts
- A new Louisiana law allows incarcerated individuals to earn sentence reductions for obtaining an associate's degree.
- The law, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry in April, takes effect on August 1.
- Eligible prisoners can receive 90 days of "good time" credit for each associate's degree earned from an approved university.
- Individuals convicted of sex crimes or violent crimes are not eligible for this sentence reduction.
- The program aims to incentivize education and good behavior within the prison system.
A new law in Louisiana, signed by Governor Jeff Landry in April and effective August 1, will allow incarcerated individuals to earn sentence reductions for obtaining an associate's degree. This bipartisan bill offers 90 days of "good time" credit for each associate's degree earned from an approved university, though it excludes those convicted of sex crimes or violent crimes.
Charles Amos, who earned multiple degrees while serving a life sentence, shared his personal journey of transformation through education. While he did not receive formal sentence benefits for his degrees, his experience highlights the personal impact of education in prison. Louisiana previously passed a law in 2021 offering similar credits for bachelor's and master's degrees.
State Representative Mandie Landry, who introduced the bill, emphasized the importance of providing prisoners with opportunities for sentence reduction, stating that it is more cost-effective and beneficial for society to reintegrate individuals than to keep them incarcerated. Andrew Hundley of the Louisiana Parole Project noted that these credits serve as an incentive for good behavior and educational pursuits, even if the sentence reduction is not substantial.
Advocates like Bruce Reilly from Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) acknowledge the bill as a helpful step but view it as a small solution to the broader challenges of high incarceration rates and post-release employment discrimination. LeAnn Jochum, who also earned degrees while incarcerated, expressed that the bill appropriately rewards the significant effort involved in pursuing education behind bars.
Both Amos and Jochum, who now work in roles assisting formerly incarcerated individuals, underscored the pivotal role education played in their lives, regardless of sentence reduction benefits.