Southeastern to host parole hearings
Thursday, September 21, 2023
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences is hosting parole hearings on campus Sept. 27. The hearings will begin
at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre and continue throughout the morning.
Southeastern has been working with the Pardons and Parole Board and law enforcement
officials to coordinate the event. Students, faculty, staff and the community at large
are invited to drop in throughout the day as part of a live audience.
Retired Judge James E. Kuhn of the First Circuit Court of Appeals, a 1968 Southeastern
graduate from Ponchatoula who also brought appellate court hearings to campus, has
played a major role in making the hearings possible.
“Southeastern is delighted to host the Pardons and Parole Board hearings on campus,”
said Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Karen Fontenot. “The
opportunity to attend these hearings provides our students with a great learning experience
and is an excellent real-world ready opportunity.”
The offenders will be video streamed during the hearings and not actually present.
The hearings could include emotional testimony and may contain disturbing content.
Law enforcement will be stationed at the entrance door to let attendees in and
out between each parole hearing case. Attendees are permitted to bring keys, paper
and pens to the hearings. No book bags, purses or cell phones will be allowed. Audience
members must remain quiet throughout the proceedings.
For more information, contact the office of Pardons and Parole at 225-342-5424
or 225-342-9191.
