Louisiana CURE
From New Orleans Wiki
[edit] Louisiana Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (Louisiana CURE)
Louisiana CURE is a state-wide, non-profit organization working to reform the Criminal Justice System throughout Louisiana. We are currently working on issues throughout the state and locally, in many parishes across the state. Louisiana CURE is heavily involved in attempts to improve the Orleans Parish Prison System and turn the correctional system in New Orleans into a best-practices, rehabilitative endeavor. CURE (Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants) is an international organization that seeks to reduce crime through reform of the criminal justice system. CURE began in Texas in 1972, and was started in Louisiana in 1990.
Louisiana CURE supports:
a moratorium on prison construction except to replace outdated facilities * eliminating prisons for profit * the reform of sentencing laws * alternative sentencing options whenever possible * enhancing prisoner-family relations * encouraging formerly convicted individuals in being positive, contributing members of the community * improving access to addictions treatment in and out of the prison system * training in conflict resolution and anger control * meaningful job training and education for prisoners and others involved in the criminal justice system * Restorative Justice as a way to address the needs of victims, offenders and the community * compensation for crime victims and victims of the criminal justice system * abolishing the death penalty * the right to vote, nationwide, for former prisoners and probationers
The goal of Louisiana CURE to to reduce criminal recidivism and the reliance on prisons, through rehabilitation and alternatives to incarceration. We realize, as do most victims, that incarceration is not a solution to our crime problems. Though most of the public tends to think that once someone is placed in jail, he or she is permanently banished from society, in reality, this is not the case. Most people arrested, convicted, and sent to prison are released from incarceration in between four months to two years. Some are given probation, in lieu of incarceration. Sentencing to incarceration, or probation, does nothing for the individual without proper rehabilitative services, such as addictions intervention, educational training, and vocational preparation. Without providing the bare necessities for rehabilitation, both to those in prison and those on community supervision, the criminal justice system is merely fueling the revolving door.
Louisiana CURE offers presentations on the Louisiana criminal justice and correctional systems and offers services to link local or state initiatives to national best practices. Additionally, we offer facilitation services in areas of systemic change.
Contact information:
Cory Turner
Interim Executive Director
Louisiana CURE
(504) 487-1045
