New Orleans officials: End per diem funding for your prison system

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New Orleans is the only major city in the United States that funds its jail based on a per diem system, billing the city $22.39 for every individual held at OPP per day. And, much like the model for private prisons, this has created a perverse incentive to keep more people in jail on a daily basis--more prisoners for more days equals more money for the Sheriff's budget. Please join us in calling on Mayor Landrieu and the New Orleans City Council to end per diem funding.

Below is the message we'll send to Mayor Landrieu and the New Orleans City Council:

Dear Mayor Landrieu and New Orleans City Council members,

I am calling on you to reject the per diem funding system for the Orleans Parish Prison (OPP) and reinvest in policies and programs that reflect the city's real needs and priorities. The per diem system would result in New Orleanians paying more to  the Sheriff's budget to lock up more residents for more days--while missing the opportunity to invest dollars in other critical infrastructure and programs.

Like cities across the country, New Orleans is facing a fiscal crisis, with valuable social services and programs for youth and families the most threatened by impending budget cuts. Yet, the criminal justice system makes up 61% of the city's general fund in the proposed 2012 budget while services for children and families are just 3%. The per diem system boosts the incentive to arrest more people for minor offenses and house people for longer sentences--essentially making the public pay more for less safety. As you know, the Criminal Justice Working Group determined that the antiquated per diem funding system of the jail should be ended, noting that New Orleans remains the only major city in the country to fund its jail this way.  

I ask you to show leadership and reject the per diem funding system.  This will allow New Orleans to move forward and invest in our communities, not our jails.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]


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