A person is unlikely to be considered a resident of a state if that person’s only connection to the state is being incarcerated there.
Note: If the inmate performs services for any payor, even a private company, while in jail, the wages received are not earned income for the CTC or EITC. Additionally, the status of where the inmate performs the work is irrelevant for the above rule. Ineligible income also includes amounts paid for work performed while in a work release program or while living in a halfway house.
He lived in Illinois before his incarceration and has never lived in my state. Can I do state taxes for me only? I live in Louisiana?
Yes: if you file jointly on your federal return, Louisiana law requires that you file jointly on your state return, as well.
See Lines 1-5 – Filing status in the Instructions for Preparing Your 2020 Louisiana Resident Income Tax Return Form (IT-540).