Hopefully Sheriff Whitehorn will be forthcoming with information at Monday’s Public Safety Funding Committee Monday.
His track record for transparency is cloudy at best and his keep the info secret policy of charging for simple public records request sets an unfortunate precedent for ALL public entities in northwest Louisiana.
Here are a few more questions that should be asked of the High Sheriff/his staff:
9. What is the definition of a “non-violent misdemeanor offender”
10. What if the proposed program participant has a prior criminal record
11. How many, on average, non-violent misdemeanor offenders are housed at CCC more than 48 hours before bonding out
12. Does this program bypass/obviate the bond procedure for inmates released from CCC
13. Has the Sheriff considered housing misdemeanor offenders at Shreveport City Jail.
14. Will this extend the court dates for offenders.
This proposed program has many potential advantages for all parties—the Sheriff, the Parish and the offenders. Like many projects the devil is in the details.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.