Skip to content

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Katrina20
  • Criminal Justice
  • Schools
  • Opinion
  • In the N.O.
  • Environment
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Author: Nick Chrastil

About 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.

Death in New Orleans jail this summer was an overdose, coroner determines

October 27, 2021 Updated October 28, 2021
A monitor overseeing the New Orleans jail recently criticized the Sheriff’s Office over continued problems with drugs and contraband.

Angola prisoner who says his parole was stripped illegally appears in Baton Rouge court

October 27, 2021 Updated October 28, 2021
Tuesday’s hearing did not address the merits of the case. Attorneys instead argued over whether the court has jurisdiction.

‘In other words, nothing has been accomplished today’: No decision on new trial in Bossier split-jury case

October 22, 2021 Updated May 26, 2022
Brandon Jackson was convicted of armed robbery by a 10-2 jury in 1997. Split verdicts are no longer legal. But his conviction, and those for hundreds more, is still considered valid.

No recommendation, or denial, on new jail building from City Planning Commission

October 12, 2021 Updated October 12, 2021
A Tuesday commission vote on the proposal came out 4 to 4.

Angola prisoner Bobby Sneed files petition in state court alleging unlawful detention

October 11, 2021 Updated October 11, 2021
Sneed was stripped of his parole prior to release despite the prison disciplinary board clearing him of a contraband charge.

City Planning Commission staff recommends approval of Phase III jail facility

October 8, 2021 Updated October 8, 2021
The commission will vote on the zoning change next week, which will ultimately need to be approved by the City Council.

Despite defending reality series set inside jail, emails show Sheriff’s Office kicked out ‘Jailbirds: New Orleans’ film crew last year

October 6, 2021 Updated October 6, 2021
After agreeing to allow the production crew into the jail, Sheriff’s Office officials became concerned about how it would be portrayed.

A ‘Jim Crow jury’ prisoner fights for freedom

October 4, 2021 Updated May 26, 2022
Brandon Jackson is one of more than 1,500 people still incarcerated in Louisiana on non-unanimous verdicts, though the United States Supreme Court ruled split verdicts unconstitutional last year. Will he get a chance at freedom?

Class-action settlement mandates time outside of cells, communal meals and recreation for death row prisoners

September 30, 2021 Updated September 30, 2021
The suit was filed in 2017 on behalf of death row prisoners, claiming that Angola’s highly restrictive conditions violated their constitutional rights.

Orleans sheriff’s office criticized for allowing ‘gritty reality series’ to film inside jail

September 16, 2021 Updated September 16, 2021
Attorneys who represent detainees in consent decree say they were misled by Gusman’s office

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • …
  • 39
  • »

About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Newsletter

Sign up

Most Popular

Judge rules permit for LNG terminal in Cameron Parish ignored potential climate impactsJudge rules permit for LNG terminal in Cameron Parish ignored potential climate impactsOctober 17, 2025Elise Plunk, Louisiana IlluminatorEnvironment
No Papers! No Fear!No Papers! No Fear!August 5, 2025José Torres-Tama Katrina20
Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.October 17, 2025Carolyne HeldmanBehind The Lens
The Lens
The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

Continue to The Lens