CSCS + Beyond Bars visits Tara HS

Beyond Bars Representatives Desmond and Rashawn, share their personal stories of life impacting decisions that led to their incarcerations.

Recently, students at Tara High School in Baton Rouge had the unique opportunity to hear from two voices they won’t soon forget — Desmond and Rashawn, trusted speakers from Capital Region Crime Stoppers’ Beyond Bars program.

Launched in 2025 by Capital Region Crime Stoppers in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, the Beyond Bars initiative is a proactive effort to deter youth violence by bringing honest, firsthand accounts of life-altering choices into schools and youth groups across the region. The goal is simple: give students insight into how decisions made in youth can lead to lifelong consequences, and more importantly, inspire them to choose differently.

Truth from Those Who’ve Lived It

During the session at Tara High School, Desmond and Rashawn spoke candidly about the paths that led them to incarceration and the impact those choices have had on their lives — and the lives of those around them. Students were attentive as the speakers shared real-life experiences, emphasizing that every decision carries weight and consequence.

The presentation included a robust Q&A session where students asked thoughtful questions, seeking to understand not just what happened, but why it happened and how it might have been avoided. These interactive discussions are a key part of the Beyond Bars experience, allowing students to engage directly with the material and relate it to their own lives.

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to personal testimonies and Q&A, the Beyond Bars presentation features insights from Lt. Don Coppola on how Crime Stoppers works and how students can help keep their communities safe — even anonymously. Each session typically lasts around an hour, blending powerful stories with practical community safety information.

While the program is especially geared toward middle and high school students, it’s open to any local organization, school, or youth group eager to hear these impactful lessons. If your group or school would like to host a Beyond Bars presentation, Capital Region Crime Stoppers encourages you to reach out — these talks are all about building safer futures through understanding and choice.

A Message of Hope and Change

Ultimately, Beyond Bars isn’t about fear — it’s about real connection and real prevention. Through transparency, vulnerability, and honest conversation, Desmond, Rashawn, and the Crime Stoppers team are helping young people reflect on their choices and visualize a future filled with opportunity, not regret.