Hutson, who ran on a reform platform, defeated longtime incumbent Marlin Gusman in last year’s election.
Author Archives: Nick Chrastil
Nicholas Chrastil covers criminal justice for The Lens. As a freelancer, his work has appeared in Slate, Undark, Mother Jones, and the Atavist, among other outlets. Chrastil has a master's degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University, where his research focused on New Orleans' newspapers during the Reconstruction era. During his time at LSU, he also covered the Louisiana state legislature as part of the Manship Statehouse Bureau. He is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Bill limiting co-pays for prison health care fails to advance out of committee
Committee members were split on the measure in spite of a compromise reached between advocates and DOC.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Public meeting scheduled on controversial Phase III jail facility
The meeting is being held as part of a FEMA review process, which the city says has caused delays in pre-construction work.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Vera Institute proposes additional spending on prevention, rather than arrests and prosecution, to tackle violent crime
Group says the city should use federal funds for mental health treatment, violence intervention programming.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge threatens contempt for city officials over Phase III delays
The judge said he will likely give the city until mid-May to complete a required FEMA report.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sponsor defers bill ending medical co-pays for prisoners
After DOC objections, New Orleans legislator says she will work out a compromise, which could result in reduced, rather than eliminated, medical fees for some.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge, DOJ, civil rights attorneys not buying city’s claim that FEMA is delaying Phase III
The city was ordered to submit documents proving that FEMA requires additional public engagement prior to construction of the jail facility. A federal judge said the documents produced “simply do not support that contention.”
Posted inCriminal Justice
Despite campaign promises and settlement agreement, DA Jason Williams appears to lack a written policy on turning over evidence
The lack of a policy may violate a legal settlement, and public defenders and the Innocence Project New Orleans say a lack of policy could lead to wrongful convictions
Posted inCriminal Justice
Two bills before legislature aim to improve prison medical care
One bill would create a prison medical advisory council. The other would eliminate prisoner co-pays.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge to city: No more delays on Phase III
City now says FEMA is causing delays.