By: Danielle Harkins
To understand the value of the Transitional Work Program (TWP) at the Union Parish Detention Center, it’s important to look back at its origins and impact over the years.
The TWP is a vital program that allows qualifying inmates—after a thorough application and vetting process—to work outside the detention center at approved job sites. Inmates in this program are permitted to keep a portion of their earnings, while the remainder is allocated to the detention center to help offset operational costs. This financial model has played a crucial role in keeping the facility fiscally stable.
In 2015, the Union Parish Detention Center entered into a partnership with the Louisiana Employment Opportunity group (LEO), led by Ty Bromell and John Hawkins. LEO works with the state to place eligible inmates from across Louisiana into various facilities’ work-release programs, generating much-needed income for those institutions.
By January 2019, the program was thriving, with 98 TWP inmates on the roster—47 of whom were brought in through LEO. During that month’s Detention Center Commission meeting, officials reported a cap of 100 TWP participants and expressed interest in increasing that limit. According to Secretary Paula Strickland of the Union Parish Police Jury, that request was soon granted, raising the cap to 120. By December of that year, the center reported 110 active TWP participants—106 of whom worked at Foster Farms, with 68 of those referred by LEO.
For several years, LEO was instrumental in helping the facility maintain high TWP participation, which directly supported the center’s financial recovery. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the program, as inmates were restricted from working outside the facility due to health and safety concerns.
By 2022, the program was slowly rebounding, though LEO faced challenges in securing enough inmates to meet Union Parish’s capacity. In May of that year, there were 47 TWP workers, including 41 from LEO, with an additional 32 awaiting approval.
In June 2022, ARKLA Workforce Solutions, LLC approached the commission with a proposal to supply TWP participants, asserting they could fill the program’s capacity of 100 inmates. The commission approved their contract; however, LEO subsequently withdrew, stating they would not operate under a dual-provider agreement.
Throughout 2023, TWP participation remained low. By July, there were only 56 TWP inmates—6 from LEO and just 1 from ARKLA. Later that year, a state audit resulted in a temporary suspension of new TWP admissions. The audit, which extended into 2024, prompted the state to recommend hiring a dedicated CPA firm to manage the program’s financial records. That recommendation was formally approved in April 2024.
By June 2024, only 14 inmates were active in the program, with a slight increase to 16 in July and 25 more on the waiting list. Sheriff Dusty Gates and Warden Adams have continued to advocate for the program, making regular outreach efforts to bring in eligible participants.
In February 2024, the Detention Center Commission announced during a meeting that they had extended an invitation for LEO to return under a new contract. The goal is to restore the program to its full potential. At that time, participation had increased to 52 inmates.
The next commission meeting is scheduled for later this month, and officials remain hopeful that renewed partnerships and stronger infrastructure will bring the TWP back to its peak performance—ultimately benefiting both the inmates and the financial health of the Union Parish Detention Center.