First and foremost, we are here for you. These are turbulent times, and we want to remind you that we love you, we are with you, and we will get through this together. Here are a few updates on where things stand with our incarcerated loved ones and with for members at home.
Our incarcerated loved ones
Most important, now is the time to bring as many of our loved ones in jails and prisons home. When the virus hits facilities, it will spread like wildfire among 2.3 million people. A federal lockdown that further punishes and tears families apart is not the solution. Rather, we demand that our elderly, anyone with existing health conditions, those doing time for nonviolent offenses, anyone in jail on technical violations or misdemeanors, and anyone in jail awaiting trial go NOW! We also demand that routine police stops, warrants, and any unnecessary arrests cease immediately.
Can you help us make these demands by calling and emailing the following officials today?
New Orleans Mayor: (504) 658-4900
Baton Rouge Sheriff: (225) 389-5000
New Orleans Sheriff: (504) 822-8000
Governor: (225)342-7015 or (225)342-0991
DOC: (225) 342-9711
Governor John Bel Edwards
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, Louisiana Supreme Court
[email protected]
James L. Le Blanc, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
[email protected] & [email protected]
Dr. James Beuche, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice
[email protected]
Sheryl Ranatza, Chair, Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole
[email protected]
Steve Russo, Acting Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health
[email protected]
Matthew Block, Executive Counsel to the Governor
[email protected]
Jonathan Vining, DOC General Counsel
[email protected]
Leslie Ricard Chambers, Esq., Criminal Justice Policy Advisor
[email protected]
Michael Ranatza, Executive Director, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association
[email protected]
You can also encourage others to call by sharing this image on Facebook, signing our national pledge, email this letter to your elected officials, and tracking what other jails and prisons around the country are doing to decarcerate.
Our membership at home
We know many of our members are experiencing financial hardships due to this virus. We are working in coalition to demand that our elected officials implement paid sick leave for all workers in Louisiana and beyond. Until then, you can file for unemployment insurance for a maximum of $247/week. Download the instructions here. There are also new rules around keeping utilities on, preventing evictions, etc. Read them here. If you’re in the greater New Orleans area, you can also give/receive help with funds, transportation, food, and more via the community mutual aid network. If you have children under 18, they can get a grab-and-go free meal at any of these locations. And these free meal locations are for anyone of any age. To find out about resources in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and statewide, go here.
The 2020 Louisiana Legislature has been postponed until March 31. When it resumes, we will do everything in our power to make sure that we have a voice in the laws and reforms being made on our behalf. Check out what bills we’ll be fighting for, and contact us if you or a loved one have been affected any of them. If you’re also willing to record a video testimony, you can do so on your phone and email it to us.
The presidential primary election in Louisiana has been postponed until June 20. That also means the new registration deadline is May 20 (in person or by mail) and May 30 (online). In other words, please keep registering to vote! You can do so online here. Remember: you can vote if you are currently on probation, have been on parole for at least five years, or have finished your probation or parole time. You’ll need to call your probation and parole office, first, and ask them to mail you a signed and sealed Voter Registration Form with your information on it.
The 2020 Census is still underway–fill it out online anytime before April 1. Please take 10 minutes to do so. Your responses make sure all of us–including loved ones still behind bars–are counted. They help lawmakers decide where necessities like stores, schools and housing are built in our communities.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your loved ones in jails or prisons, where our work stands, or any of the above, please call us at 504-571-9599. We are available between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.