Swanson Fears Addressed

The Swanson Correctional Center in Monroe has been in the community for decades, and has not been without its share of controversies. It is in the community to help those young people who have gotten themselves into serious criminal matters with the intent of rehabilitating them, while at the same time keeping them segregated from the adult jail population. Nevertheless, the system is there to ensure that all inmates are treated humanely with the expectation that once released; they will become productive citizens in the community. There is a rightful concern by family members if they believe that their loved one's rights are being protected, whether it may be from a fellow inmate or from those who run the facility. Elizabeth Touchet-Morgan is the Executive Management Advisor of the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ), says that all measures are taken to ensure that inmates' rights and safety are protected. In a phone interview with Morgan, she told The Dispatch that (no.1)"safety is the main concern" for the inmates/employees as well as the public in/around Swanson. Morgan said that the facility is staffed with law enforcement officers to maintain the peace. Morgan said that if an escape by an inmate should occur, the public will be alerted. She also said that there is an infirmary on site for medical reasons for the inmates. Morgan also stressed that there are "complaints" that they address, as there is a system in place to address concerns whether they originate from an inmate or someone on the staff. However, she said that for "privacy concerns", no information is released, as the inmates are minors, even if an inmate was arrested, no announcements are made.

Morgan said that there is a system in place where an inmate can be heard if he believes conditions at the facility would have that inmate to fear for his safety. Employees can also use the same system, by calling an investigative hotline set up for them. Inmates can contact the Administrative Remedy Process Office in Baton Rouge where complaints or grievances will be looked into. If for some reason an inmate thinks that there will be some sort of retaliation against him, that person is separated while an investigation is conducted. An investigation is done on site by one of two investigators who live in Monroe. The results of that investigation is sent to Baton Rouge. Because of privacy concerns, no information is released to the public, as these are "internal" matters. Morgan says that the system is in place to protect everyone, but their "main focus" aside from safety, is rehabilitating the young people. Morgan also said that the inmates get either individual or group counseling with the hope that once they leave, "they won't come back".

Morgan told The Dispatch that big changes are coming to Swanson. One of those changes will be a new facility built on the existing site. She said that the new building is in its "design stage", but an announcement is forthcoming. She also said that funds to construct the new facility came through the Bond Commission from the state. Morgan sounded very excited describing some features of the new facility. She said that a new facility with new classrooms could go a long way in "changing the environment" from what the old Swanson looks like, as compared to everything being new. "Hopefully, it will instill pride", said Morgan, "and develop a serious attitude toward rehabilitation". One other thing that Morgan wants to see improved is the recidivism rate. Figures from OJJ indicates that over a one year period of discharged youths remaining out of OJJ or Department of Corrections, was 86.5% in 2018 to 85.9% in 2019, a slight improvement. A two-year period showed a 2% increase 76.8% in 2018 to 78.3% in 2019. The overall success rate for a three-year period declined from 71.0% in 2018 to 70.5%. For those that are on probation, the rate for one year increased from 78.9% in 2018 to 84.3percentage in 2019, while the three tear overall success rate increased from 59.8 in 3018 to 66.5% in 2019. "There is still room for improvement", said Morgan. There are three sides to every story. This was one side of this story. The Monroe Dispatch welcomes another or the other side of this story.