LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)-- The Lafayette Parish Council approved the introduction of an ordinance to resolve issues of housing 17-year-old offenders.

Earlier this year a law passed into legislation indicating 17-year-old offenders can no longer be housed in juvenile detention centers. With overpopulation in correctional facilities being an issue, there has been an increase in difficulty housing 17-year-old offenders.

Because of this, Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco-Boulet could be in agreement with other agencies to help house them.

"Being that the 17-year-olds are now being recognized as adults and the Office of Juvenile Justice is taking over, they are no longer allowed to be housed in the juvenile detention facility," said LCG's Chief Administrator Officer Rachel Godeaux.

Although charged as adults, 17-year-old offenders cannot be housed with adults unless the facility is equipped to do so. Otherwise, this is could be a federal violation.

"The sheriff's office has issued a legal opinion that states that housing the 17-year-olds in an adult correctional facility is actually a violation of federal law," Godeaux said.

An ordinance will be introduced to allow Boulet to enter in an agreement with other agencies outside of the parish to temporarily house juveniles in specialized detention centers. The ordinance will also amend the 2023-24 operating budget by $125,000 to fund the arrangement.

Godeaux said it's LCG's "intent is to amend the budget for this year to provide funding for incarceration as well as transportation services."

Final adoption of the ordinance is set for Sept. 12.

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