Former Inmates Shared Stories at LSU Event
The Louisiana Parole Project held a panel at the LSU Student Union to discuss reentry and life after incarceration.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Members of the Louisiana Parole Project spoke to students at the LSU Student Union about their personal experiences with incarceration and reentry. The event focused on the transition back into society and the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals.
Why it matters
The panel aimed to educate the campus community on the school-to-prison pipeline and demonstrate the potential for personal change. It highlighted the work of organizations providing resources for housing, jobs, and mentorship to those reentering society.
The Louisiana Parole Project has supported 728 individuals with reentry services, including job and housing assistance. Blake Fontana, a panelist at the event, served two years of a 52-year sentence after his 2023 conviction for crimes including racketeering.
The players
Louisiana Parole Project
This organization provides reentry resources such as housing, transportation, and job training for formerly incarcerated people.
Blake Fontana
He is a formerly incarcerated individual who earned eight automotive technology certifications while serving two years in prison.
Christi Cheramie
She is an advocate who spent 25 years in prison after entering the system at age 16.
Demetricy Moore
She served 25 years at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women before engaging in reentry advocacy.
The details
Panelists Christi Cheramie and Demetricy Moore both detailed their 25-year sentences, with Cheramie reflecting on her incarceration beginning at age 16. Fontana shared that he earned eight automotive technology certifications during his two years of incarceration.
Timeline
Blake Fontana received his criminal conviction in 2023.
The Stories of a Concrete Rose event took place on October 5, 2026.
Legal Context
This panel challenged the systemic cycle known as the school-to-prison pipeline by highlighting individual stories of rehabilitation. It follows a growing trend of campus discussions aimed at humanizing the reentry process and shifting public discourse on criminal justice reform.
The event provided local residents and students with a direct look at the resources available to those transitioning back into the Baton Rouge community. Attendees learned about the specific job training programs that are actively assisting individuals in finding meaningful employment.
The takeaway
The stories shared by the panelists highlight that professional certification and mentorship are key components for successful reentry. Education remains a primary tool for breaking cycles of incarceration and ensuring that individuals can reintegrate into the workforce.
Further reading
For more on local policy changes, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reveille.
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