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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.

‘Left in harm’s way’: Civil rights groups criticize government handling of local jails before and after Hurricane Ida

September 7, 2021 Updated September 8, 2021
In some parishes with mandatory evacuation orders, sheriffs chose to keep their jails full. Civil rights groups are asking the state to take a more active role in decision-making.

‘I don’t care where I’m going’: New Orleans residents use city evacuation program after Hurricane Ida

September 4, 2021 Updated September 5, 2021
Buses began moving people out of the city on Saturday.

Friends, family struggle to get in touch with people in jails hit by Hurricane Ida

September 3, 2021 Updated February 28, 2023
A number of parish sheriffs in the area chose not to evacuate their jails prior to the storm.

Bail processing in New Orleans back online following daylong interruption

September 1, 2021 Updated September 5, 2021
Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell’s Office is responsible for processing bond payments.

After Ida, New Orleans criminal justice system faces new challenges

August 31, 2021 Updated September 5, 2021
Conditions at several jails that did not evacuate prior to the storm still uncertain.

COVID-19 cases down in state prisons, up in New Orleans jail

August 25, 2021 Updated August 26, 2021
Cases at the jail more than doubled since last week, according to Sheriff Gusman.

Prosecutors in 2010 murder case hid payments to witness and evidence implicating another suspect, Innocence Project New Orleans alleges in bar complaints

August 25, 2021 Updated August 29, 2021
Kaliegh Smith was convicted of murder in 2010 and released this year after DA Jason Williams’ office said it agreed that there were problems with the case.

State police officer who initiated pursuit leading to Lakeview crash has been involved in at least three high-speed chases in New Orleans since June

August 19, 2021 Updated August 19, 2021
The pursuit was part of Operation Golden Eagle.

State reports decrease in prisoner COVID cases, slight increase among prison staff

August 18, 2021 Updated August 18, 2021
Gusman reports 18 cases among detainees, 19 among staff and contractors at the New Orleans jail.

COVID cases among state prisoners more than double since last week, with eight hospitalizations

August 11, 2021 Updated August 11, 2021
Eight state prisoners are hospitalized. And the number of cases at the New Orleans jail remains the same, according to a lawyer for the Sheriff’s Office.

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