Louisiana Criminal Defense FAQs

Louisiana Prison Diversion Programs

As a Louisiana criminal defense attorney, my clients frequently ask me about diversion programs that will reduce or eliminate time spent in jail.  There are a number of programs available in Louisiana and Lafayette Parish with different eligibility requirements.  We have listed and described some of these programs here with links for more information. As always, if you have questions or need criminal defense assistance, please call my Louisiana law office at (337) 704-2615 for a free consultation.

STOP:  Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Diversion Program

The Sheriff’s Office in Lafayette Parish offers a diversion program for eligible inmates to allow them finish their sentence outside of the Lafayette Parish Correctional facility. This program is called STOP, an acronym for Sheriff’s Tracking Offender Program.  Inmates will be released from jail, but must serve the rest of the sentence in the STOP program.  The purpose of STOP is to help inmates successfully transition back into society and avoid going back to jail.

Eligibility: Eligibility for the program depends on a variety of factors including the defendant’s criminal history, conduct in jail, any pending charges, and whether the criminal charges were for violent crimes. Having a stable living situation and job opportunities outside of jail are very helpful for inclusion in STOP.  Generally speaking, a defendant without a long criminal history or current charges and who has a job and stable place to live can be eligible for STOP.  If a defendant is considered eligible for STOP, the presiding judge must approve participation in the diversion program.

Other Programs: Once you have signed up for the STOP program, you will then be eligible for the other programs available from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The programs include 1. Work Release  2. Day Reporting  3. Home Monitoring.  Each inmate will have a program tailored for their specific needs, which can include mandatory classes including anger management, counseling, GED prep courses, and job skills.

 Visit FAQ Stop Program for more information about STOP in Lafayette Parish

The phone numbers for STOP are (337) 236-5440 or (337) 231-5606.

To visit the Lafayette Sheriff’s website for general information about the diversion programs they offer, click  Lafayette Parish diversion programs

Day Reporting Center in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

The Lafayette Parish Day Reporting Center is where inmates released through STOP, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Tracking Offender Program, go for training and counseling.  Once an individual is allowed to participate in STOP, a program of classes and requirements will be created for them based on their own specific needs.

Depending on the person, the program can include learning new skills, counseling or substance abuse treatment.

A.    Skill training may include the following:

1.    Learning to read
2.    studying to take the GED
3.    computer skills
4.    job skills

B.    Counseling could be required for psychological issues, anger management, domestic violence, grief, etc.

C.    If necessary, the offender will be required to attend classes for drug and alcohol abuse, mandatory drug tests and/or participation in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).

It is much better to be outside of jail than in, so it is vital to faithfully check in and attend the required classes and meetings at the Center.  Much like probation, failure to report in and participate in the necessary programs can result in being dropped from STOP and ordered back to jail. Testing positively for drugs, getting new criminal charges, not working or not looking for a job are other reasons a STOP participant can be found non-compliant.

The Day Reporting Center is located at 100 Poydras St. in downtown Lafayette.  You can contact the Center at 337-231-6365 for more information. Lafayette Parish Day Reporting Program.