Behind The Lens episode 245: ‘Adults failed them’

Nick Chrastil on "extreme" conditions incarcerated people face at David Wade Correctional Center. Marta Jewson on a judge's order that will give Kennedy High School seniors who endured a graduation scandal their day in court. And Delaney Dryfoos on what a 'D' for New Orleans' water system means for residents.

This week on Behind The Lens, the David Wade Correctional Center has been put under federal oversight to bring the prison up to constitutional standards after a judge found that corrective measures had not been implemented in the two years since the facility had been the target of a class action lawsuit brought against it by incarcerated individuals. 

And a judge has certified Kennedy High School 2019 and 2020 seniors for a class action lawsuit, five years after the graduation scandal that rocked the city.

And the water treatment facility that provides much of New Orleans with drinking water received a grade of D but officials with the state health department says that doesn’t mean it is unsafe to drink.

Our guests this week are Lens reporters Nick Chrastil, Delaney Dryfoos and Marta Jewson. 

Theme music by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. Additional music, “Keep your hand on the plow,” by Mahalia Jackson.

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.