This section orders the closure of Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit as a juvenile facility, sets limits on any emergency extension, and requires planning and reporting for the youth affected.
§902.2. Closure of Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit as a facility for juveniles A.(1) By December 31, 2004, the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit at Tallulah, Louisiana shall no longer be used as a juvenile facility. (2) Notwithstanding any provision of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Subsection, the governor by executive order and upon a declaration that there is a public safety emergency which necessitates the use of Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit as a juvenile facility may extend the closure date by a period not to exceed five months from the date of issuance of the declaration of emergency. Under no circumstances shall Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit be used as a juvenile facility after May 31, 2005. (3) No provision of this Subsection shall prohibit the department from closing Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit at any time prior to December 31, 2004, should the protection and public safety of society permit. B.(1) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall develop a comprehensive plan for the transitioning of these youth based upon the health, safety, and best interests of each child and the protection and public safety of society. The comprehensive plan: (a) Shall include a specific plan for provision of aftercare services to meet the needs of juveniles for whom release to the community is recommended and to provide for safety to the community. (b) Shall include a specific date after which youths adjudicated delinquent and committed to the department shall no longer be assigned or reassigned to Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit. (c) Shall include a recommendation by which monies used to fund the operation of Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit can be used for the creation and maintenance of a continuum of community-based treatment and supervision programs for youth within the Louisiana juvenile justice system. (d) May include recommendations for an alternative use of the facility and property of the former Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit. (2) The secretary of the department shall submit the plan on or before August 1, 2003, to the governor, to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission created by R.S. 46:2751 et seq. (3) Beginning on August 1, 2003, and every month thereafter until such time as Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit is discontinued as a juvenile facility, the department shall submit to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission a status report detailing: (a) The total number of youths in the facility. (b) The number of youths transitioned out of the facility and the facility to which the child was transferred. (c) The number of youths, if any, placed in the facility, and the reason for this placement as opposed to placement in another juvenile facility, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements. (d) Other information requested by the commission. C. The Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission shall make recommendations to the governor and legislature, including the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, prior to the 2004 Regular Session of the Legislature, regarding suggested executive action or required legislation and funding for juvenile justice services, facilities, and personnel. Acts 2003, No. 1225, §2. NOTE: See Acts 2004, No. 721, §2, which amended Section 7(A) and (B)(1) of Acts 2003, No. 1225, relative to the alternate use of the facility as a learning center.