Parole denied for Melissa Bamberg; board cites incomplete prerelease and substance-abuse requirements

Melissa Bamberg appeared before the Committee on Parole at Ouachita Parish on Jan. 20, 2026. Board members noted she had participated in a transitional work program and had completed Louisiana risk model phase 1, but that she lacked the required prerelease hours and completed substance-abuse curriculum required for parole.

Board member Jeri LeDoux said the statutory/department prerequisites (prerelease and substance-abuse completion) were not met and voted to deny parole, recommending Bamberg continue in the transitional program until her good-time date. Other board members concurred; the board recorded the denial and instructed continued participation in reentry and substance-abuse programming prior to reconsideration.

Why it matters: the board applied the department’s prerelease and treatment criteria as conditions of parole eligibility, emphasizing completion of required preparatory programming before release.