WBRZ - Baton Rouge

The prison population in Louisiana could decline, if a package of bills up for debate in the House this week is passed into law.

The four bills mainly target nonviolent offenders, who make up 60 percent of the state's inmates.

The proposed laws would enable prisoners not serving time for violent or sexual offenses to be
considered for parole sooner and earn early release for good behavior.

Most of the bills would only apply to those convicted after Aug. 15, so it would be years before major reductions in prisoner numbers would be seen.

The House is scheduled to consider the proposals Wednesday and Thursday.