Innocence & Justice Louisiana (IJLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards to its board of directors.  

A lifelong public servant and attorney, Edwards brings decades of leadership experience and a sustained commitment to improving outcomes for communities across Louisiana. During his eight years as governor, he led the state’s efforts to enact significant criminal justice reforms that expanded rehabilitation opportunities, reduced incarceration rates, strengthened public safety, and saved the state more than $150 million in prison costs.  

“We are honored to welcome Gov. Edwards to the board at this important moment for our organization and our state,” said Ross Foote, retired judge and chair of the IJLA board. 

Edwards’ appointment comes as Innocence & Justice Louisiana celebrates 25 years of successfully freeing innocent and unjustly sentenced people from prison, supporting them in freedom, and advocating for a criminal legal system that is fair, accurate, and accountable. Throughout his career in public service, Edwards emphasized the importance of a justice system that protects public safety without sweeping up people who should not be in prison.  

 Edwards said, “I am excited to join the IJLA Board because its mission has never been more critical than it is right now, and I am inspired by the excellent and Herculean work IJLA does to advocate for, and secure the freedom of, the wrongfully convicted, often serving a life sentence, who would otherwise have no legal counsel to find new evidence and exonerate them.  Louisiana is overincarcerated, and the innocent should never be in that number.  Further, when sentences are unduly long relative to the crime committed, justice is not served – it is eroded.” 

“I look forward to Gov. Edwards’ leadership on our board as we advance our mission of securing freedom, fairness, and justice for Louisianans impacted by wrongful conviction and unjust incarceration,” said Jee Park, executive director of Innocence & Justice Louisiana. “His record of navigating complex policy challenges and bringing together diverse stakeholders will strengthen IJLA’s efforts.” 

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Editor’s Note: Photo of Gov. John Bel Edwards is available here.  

 

About Innocence & Justice Louisiana 

Innocence & Justice Louisiana (formerly Innocence Project New Orleans) frees innocent people sentenced to life in prison and those serving unjust sentences. We recognize the root causes of wrongful convictions and unjust sentences as systemic racism and inequities. We work to expose and address these root causes by sharing our clients’ stories in court, the legislature, the community, and the media. We support our clients living well and fully in the world after their release.