Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana

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Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana

Moving Beyond the Bars Louisiana currently incarcerates more people than any other state in the country. Kimball, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Louisiana.

The Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana (JAC) responds to the needs of incarcerated and ex-incarcerated populations in Louisiana, who are marginalized by both social stigma and the difficulty of communicating outside of prison walls, while changing the way lawyers provide services to these individuals. African American men are incarcerated with more frequency than any other racial group

. For example, in 2009, “Black non-Hispanic males had an imprisonment rate (3,119 per 100,000 U.S. residents) that was more than 6 times higher than white non- Hispanic males (487 per 100,000), and almost 3 times higher than Hispanic males (1,193 per 100,000).”[1] In Louisiana, 1 out of 55 residents are incarcerated.[2] At JAC we believe this problem is attributable to serious deficiencies in the criminal justice system. The current institutional structures that provide legal services to this population do not provide meaningful results for long lasting change. These issues are systemic and pervasive, and must be attacked through an aggressive multi-faceted approach to reform. To these ends, we envision three goals for supporting a just community: JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY, and THE CENTER.

[1] U.S. Department of Jutice, Office of Justice Programs, "Bulletin." December 2012, NCJ 231675.
[2] 2011 State of the Judiciary Address to the Joint Session of the House and Senate Louisiana Legislature by Catherine D. Tuesday, May 3, 2010 House Chamber. Available at: http://www.lasc.org/press_room/press_releases/2011/2011-07.asp, Last accessed: October 10, 2011.

06/11/2026

Yesterday’s expungement clinic was a success, and we’re grateful for every person who walked through our doors seeking a fresh start.

Each month, we’re reminded that access to justice matters. Whether you’re looking for better employment opportunities, stable housing, or simply the peace of mind that comes with clearing your record, we’re honored to help Louisianans navigate the expungement process.

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and supported this effort. Your trust in our team is what keeps this work moving forward.

📣 Missed this clinic? Join us next month!

📅 July 8, 2026
⏰ Doors open at 9:00 AM
📍 4640 South Carrollton Ave., Suite 280
New Orleans, LA 70119

Please arrive early—our clinics are first come, first served and spots fill up quickly!

We’ll see you in July, New Orleans! 💙

06/10/2026

The legislative session may be over, but the work continues.

Today, we’re back in New Orleans hosting another expungement clinic because access to second chances doesn’t end when lawmakers leave the Capitol. Every month, we have the privilege of helping Louisianans navigate the expungement process and move one step closer to new opportunities.

If you’ve attended one of our clinics, we have one important ask: please complete your post-clinic survey. Your feedback helps us understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how we’re impacting communities across Louisiana. Just as importantly, these surveys help demonstrate to our funders that this work is valued, effective, and deeply needed.

Every survey completed helps us continue providing these services to the people who need them most.

Thank you for your continued support, trust, and partnership. Together, we’re helping create pathways to opportunity and building a more just Louisiana—one expungement at a time.

06/08/2026

Day one of filming is officially in the books.

Friday, we sat down with members of JAC’s Impacted Solitary Survivors Coalition (ISSC) to begin documenting their lived experiences with solitary confinement—and their stories are nothing short of powerful.

Behind every statistic is a human being. Through these interviews, our ISSC members are courageously sharing the realities of isolation, the lasting impacts it can have on a person’s life, and the strength it takes to heal and move forward.

These conversations are raw, honest, and deeply important. We are grateful to every survivor who trusted us with their story and allowed us to help amplify their voice.

We can’t wait to share more from this project with you. Stay tuned as we continue working to shine a light on the human impact of solitary confinement and the urgent need for change.

05/27/2026

🎉 HB 722 is officially LAW in Louisiana! 🎉

This bill is important because it removes a major barrier that has kept too many people stuck. Before HB 722, someone could pay their reinstatement fees and STILL have their driver’s license suspended for up to a year.

That meant struggling to get to work, take care of family, attend school, or simply move through daily life.

Now, thanks to HB 722 — authored in collaboration with JAC and Representative Terry Landry — thousands of Louisianans will have a fairer path forward and a real opportunity to regain stability.

This is what policy change looks like. This is what community advocacy looks like. And this is why the work matters. 💙

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🇺🇸

This Memorial Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to those who served and gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and justice. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

From all of us at Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and meaningful Memorial Day. ❤️💙

05/23/2026

Hey NOLA! We’re back with another monthly Expungement Clinic on June 10, 2026.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward clearing your record and moving forward, our team will be there to help guide you through the process.

Doors open at 9:00 AM — we encourage you to arrive early as this clinic is first come, first served and spots fill up quickly.

📍 4640 South Carrollton Ave, Suite 280
New Orleans, LA 70119

We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to serve our community. 💙

05/20/2026

Today, our Executive Director, Sherie Thomas, attended an event with Hyundai Steel and had the opportunity to speak publicly with Mr. Sybrant of Ariel Constructors about the importance of hiring justice-impacted individuals. We were excited to learn that Arkel is committed to being a second chance employer and understands the value of giving qualified individuals an opportunity to work, grow, and provide for their families.

At JAC, our work extends far beyond the office and the Capitol; we are in communities building relationships, creating opportunities, and advocating for real pathways to economic mobility and stability.

Employment is one of the strongest tools to reduce recidivism, strengthen the workforce, and restore hope. We applaud companies that are stepping forward to support fair chance hiring and invest in people, not just past mistakes.

JAC Louisiana Reentry CommunityImpact

05/16/2026

Today is Election Day, Louisiana! 🗳️ Polls are officially OPEN from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. With everything going on around us right now, your vote matters more now than ever.

Your voice has power, and every single vote helps shape the future of our communities. Take a friend, make a plan, and head to the polls before they close tonight. Let’s show up strong for our future.

05/15/2026

Don’t just talk about change — vote for it. 🗳️

This Saturday, May 16th, show up and make your voice heard. Major shoutout to ISSC President Kiana Calloway for using his voice to remind the community that our votes carry power.

The decisions being made right now directly impact all of us, so let’s show up strong at the polls.

Address

4035 Washington Avenue
New Orleans, LA
70125

Telephone

(504) 322-4050

Website

http://www.JACLouisiana.org/

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