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This week on Behind The Lens, a brazen escape from the Orleans Parish jail in New Orleans took place last month. With increased attention on conditions in the jail, we take a look at a new program which provides electronic tablets to incarcerated individuals, which officials say is meant to  “reduce overall violence in the jail, improve quality of life and reduce tension among incarcerated residents.” The jail, run by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, has been under a federal consent decree since 2013.

For the second consecutive year, a federal judge tells the Louisiana Department of Corrections to provide Farm Line workers with protections from the sweltering summer heat.

Our guests this week are Lens criminal justice reporter Bernard Smith and managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Don’t Go by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services.

Editor’s note: This episode was recorded May 30, 2025.

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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...