This Louisiana statute governs the civil commitment of prisoners and criminal defendants to state treatment facilities for mental illness. It covers three scenarios: persons found not guilty by reason of insanity, persons lacking capacity to proceed who pose no danger, and sentenced prisoners who develop mental illness. The Department of Health is directed to designate appropriate treatment facilities for committed individuals with mental illness.
View official sourceLogin Sign-Up Home Laws Bills Sessions House Senate Committees Legislators My Legis 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions House Committees Senate Committees Miscellaneous Committees Scheduled Meetings Representatives Senators Caucuses and Delegations RS 28:59 §59. Commitment of prisoners A. Any person found not guilty by reason of insanity by a criminal court may be ordered to the proper institution in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 654 et seq. B. Any person who is determined to lack the capacity to proceed, who will not attain the capacity to proceed with his trial in the foreseeable future, and who is not a danger to himself or others, shall be discharged in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 648 et seq. However, this release is without prejudice to any right the state may have to institute civil commitment proceedings pursuant to R.S. 28:53 or 54. Furthermore, this person may be held in a treatment facility for a reasonable time period pending the judicial commitment hearing. If judicial commitment proceedings are necessary, they shall be instituted pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 648(B)(3) after a determination that the person will not attain the capacity to proceed with his trial. C. Any person serving a sentence who develops a mental illness may be committed to the proper institution in the manner provided for judicial commitment by the district court of the place of incarceration and contradictorily with the director or administrator of the place of incarceration or with the sheriff of that parish. The period of commitment shall be credited against the sentence imposed by the court. D. The department shall designate treatment facilities for the care of clients who have a mental illness committed in accordance with this Section. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 294, §1; Acts 1977, No. 714, §1; Acts 1978, No. 782, §1, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 1987, No. 928, §2, eff. July 20, 1987; Acts 1990, No. 489, §1; Acts 2017, No. 369, §2; Acts 2017, No. 370, §1, eff. June 23, 2017. If you experience any technical difficulties navigating this website, contact the webmaster. P.O. Box 94062 (900 North Third Street) Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9062