Landrieu administration, city council await National Institute of Justice report to determine what to do about the program
New Orleans city officials are awaiting a report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) on the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) that's run by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office in partnership with the city.
The NIJ is examining the program in light of a number of high-profile crimes that occurred this year allegedly involving juveniles wearing electronic monitors.
The NIJ is expected to make recommendations in its report, and the city will use its findings to determine the fate of the program.
The EMP was discussed Monday at a special meeting of the City Council's Criminal Justice Commitee.
"The immediate question is, 'Is the Electronic Monitoring Program working and should it be funded?'," says committee chairman Susan Guidry.
"Talking with the National Institute of Justice, they believe that the program should continue, and we're waiting for their report which will come out next week."
Guidry says the Landrieu administration is proposing a $700,000 budget for the EMP next year. The proposed budget is expected to be reviewed during budget hearings next week.
