Corrections costs surge 2 years after Landry, lawmakers vote to keep people in prison longer

Two years after Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers voted to lengthen dozens of prison sentences for criminal convictions, the governor’s staff says state incarceration expenses are surging.

By: Julie O'Donoghue

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: January 27, 2026

Words: 1,112

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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Two years after Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers voted to ensure people convicted of crimes serve more of their prison sentences, the governor’s staff says state incarceration expenses are surging.

Landry’s team presented a budget proposal Friday that includes an $82 million year-over-year increase in state funding for its corrections system, which pays for nine prisons as well as the parole and probation system. State spending on Louisiana State Penitentiary, the maximum security …

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