Louisiana § RS 15:909 - Reporting of escapes from juvenile institutions; records

§ RS 15:909. Reporting of escapes from juvenile institutions; records

            A. The superintendent or highest ranking employee of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, corrections services, or the person acting on behalf of the department, or the operator of a facility that houses juvenile offenders on behalf of the state, who is physically present at and in charge of a juvenile institution or facility that houses juvenile offenders on behalf of the state at the time of an escape from that institution shall, within ten minutes after being notified that a child or offender has escaped from or left the premises or grounds of the institution without authority, notify or take necessary steps to ensure the notification of every law enforcement agency, as defined in this Section, and local media outlets.

            B.(1) The superintendent or person in charge of a state juvenile institution or facility that houses juvenile offenders on behalf of the state shall maintain a record and description of every escape from the juvenile institution or escape from a facility that houses juvenile offenders on behalf of the state of which the superintendent or other person has control. The record shall list the date and time of the escape, the number of offenders who escaped, the offenses for which the escapees were placed at the institution, the name of each law enforcement agency notified of the escape, the time each law enforcement agency was notified and the name of the person receiving the notice, and the name of the department employee or agent who notified that law enforcement agency.

            (2) The report provided for by this Subsection shall be available for public inspection and shall list all prior escapes, if any, from the institution or facility that houses juvenile offenders on behalf of the state within the five years prior to the date of the most recent escape. A copy of the report shall be delivered to each law enforcement agency as defined in this Section and made available to local media outlets and the general public upon proper submission of a public records request.

            C. The secretary of the department shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure the immediate reporting of all escapes from juvenile institutions and facilities that house juvenile offenders on behalf of the state as required by this Section.

            D. As used in this Section:

            (1) "Law enforcement agency" means the sheriff's office, all police departments in the parish, and the office of state police.

            (2) "Local media outlets" means local news services, including but not limited to print, broadcast, and online platforms.

            Acts 1990, No. 977, §1; Acts 2024, No. 87, §1.