Crime is the top concern for most Louisianans this election cycle and many are unhappy with the way the criminal justice system has addressed the problem, a new poll of statewide voters shows.
But even as candidates for political office have recently ramped up tough-on-crime messaging, in some cases calling for harsher sentences, attitudes in Louisiana are shifting about how the justice system should treat people convicted of non-violent crimes, the poll shows.
A plurality of voters said those people should serve lighter sentences and have easier access to employment upon release — perspectives that reflect aims of bipartisan criminal justice reforms which Louisiana's legislature passed in 2017.
The results shed new light on the perspectives of Louisianans in a major election year where political candidates, influential business groups and legislators alike have sought to stake out positions on crime. That messaging comes amid surging homicides in New Orleans, increased killings in Lafayette and on the heels of several years of higher-than-usual violent crime in Baton Rouge.
JMC Analytics, a Louisiana-based political consulting and polling firm, used text messaging and landlines to survey 605 likely voters on criminal justice system issues. The poll was conducted from Jan. 14-18, and voters in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport participated.
Of voters surveyed, 67% were white and 28% were Black. Forty percent identified as Democrats, 38% as Republican and 22% as independent.
JMC conducted the poll on behalf of the Justice Action Network, a group that advocates for bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts at the state and federal level. The margin of error was 4%.
Voters were asked 15 questions, including what they view as the state's most important issue, how they would rate Louisiana’s criminal justice system, which factors they believe are the biggest drivers of the state's crime rate, how they view people convicted of non-violent offenses and whether people who have previously served time in prison should have an easier time finding work.
Eighty-two percent of voters responded that people with mental health or substance issues should receive treatment instead of going to jail. Eighty-three percent said that those who have previously served time in prison should be able to more easily obtain a job.
Over 70% of voters also agreed that non-violent offenders who have served their time and stayed out of trouble should have their records expunged or sealed. And 77% said those charged with minor crimes should not be jailed while awaiting trial.
Voters also reported frustrations with the current state of Louisiana's criminal justice institutions, with 75% saying the system needs major improvement.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, a champion of the 2017 criminal justice reforms, said Wednesday that the poll shows that far more must be done to tackle the state's crime problem.
"There is too much crime, and we have more work to do," Edwards said. "The people of Louisiana know that the way to reduce crime is to continue the bipartisan, data-driven, smart on crime approach we have taken.”
Meanwhile, Noah Bein, a state policy manager for Justice Action Network, said the results show that "Louisianans are concerned about crime, but won’t be satisfied with ineffective crackdowns and kneejerk policymaking."
The results were released as state lawmakers prepare to weigh a slew of criminal justice bills that seek to toughen sentencing and roll back early release for certain prisoners, among other proposals.
A bill filed by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, would make forfeiture of good time and credits — incentives that allow early release for good behavior — a mandatory penalty for incarcerated people who commit certain transgressions behind bars. Those penalties currently occur at the discretion of prison staff.
Crowley Republican Rep. John Stefanski, a candidate for Attorney General, has filed a bill proposing life imprisonment for people who distribute 28 grams or more of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has pushed overdose deaths to record levels in Louisiana and the country.
Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, has filed a bill that would allow judges to revoke parole for people who district attorneys argue are "dangerous offenders." Anyone convicted of a violent crime, sex offense, drug production or terrorism could be deemed a "dangerous offender" under the bill.
The state legislature kicks off its annual regular session in Baton Rouge on Monday.
