Renovated dorms offer small hope for prisons
by Matthew Hamilton - News Star (excerpt)

Louisiana locks up one in 55 of its residents. It's the highest rate in the nation according to the Pew Center on the States.

Despite all the prison cells, only 144 beds in the entire state are dedicated for the treatment of adolescent drug abusers, a leading driver in Louisiana's swollen prison population.

Fourth Judicial District Attorney Jerry Jones cites the number of beds to contrast with the overwhelming problem of drug abuse and the limited response to the issue. "This country needs to recognize that substance abuse is the biggest public health crisis this country has ever faced," Jones said. "To break this cycle we've got to address the problems of our youth and we've got to do it now."