This Week in Louisiana Politics: Jail security, DOJ closes investigation, new crime lab

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — On This Week in Louisiana Politics, Gov. Jeff Landry signs an executive order for jail safety, the Department of Justice closes an investigation into the state police, a report analyzes the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the latest on a new state crime lab.

Here’s a recap of the latest in Louisiana political news.

Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order on jail safety

Landry signed an executive order to improve jail security after 10 Orleans Parish inmates escaped. He wants to implement transparency and accountability in criminal justice systems across the state.

The order includes Department of Corrections inmates being transferred to state-operated facilities, the Inspector General would oversee audits of case files, court clerks are asked to document continuance requests, and judges are asked to address unnecessary delays.

Department of Justice closes investigation into Louisiana State Police

The DOJ closed its investigation into LSP and retracted allegations that state police violated people’s Fourth Amendment rights. The DOJ said LSP used excessive force against people who did not pose a safety risk to officers.

“I’m grateful that under Pam Bondi’s leadership, the Justice Department is taking a hard look at the biased, politically-motivated conduct of the Biden Administration’s DOJ,” said AG Liz Murrill. “This report was issued two days before inauguration, with one day’s notice to the Governor and me, and zero opportunity to even read it, much less comment. I’m thankful to President Donald Trump and the current Department of Justice team.”

State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Louisiana lawmakers in the Select Committee on Homeland Security learned about how the state responded to the pandemic. Rep. Charles Owen (R-Rosepine), who presented the report, said individual rights were violated in the name of protecting the public.

“It addressed our inaction as legislators for not stopping it when we could have, and the previous administration’s overreach and its infringement on liberty as opposed to its fascination with protection over liberty,” Owen said.

New crime lab for Louisiana State Police

A new crime lab is in the works as over 11,000 murder cases dating back to 1965 remain unsolved.

The new 118,000-square-foot lab would feature new technology, more conference rooms, an indoor gun range, and an analysis lab.

It is expected to be completed by 2026.

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