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Category
Criminal Justice

Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.

To prevent suicide, New Orleans daughter urges states to let people ban themselves from buying guns

Donna’s Law, which allows people to ban themselves from gun ownership, has proven one of the few areas of gun policy where Republicans and Democrats can agree. But it has made little headway in Louisiana, home of the bill’s namesake.
by Agya K. Aning, The Trace November 19, 2024 Updated November 18, 2024

Licensing a troubled juvenile jail

by Nick Chrastil October 1, 2024 Updated March 28, 2026

Louisiana sanctions use of pepper spray and mace on detained juveniles

In July, a new state law put all Louisiana pretrial juvenile detention centers under the umbrella of the state Office of Juvenile Justice. Soon after, the agency filed an ‘emergency order’ approving the use of ‘chemical agents’ in those facilities. 
by Nick Chrastil September 9, 2024 Updated March 27, 2026

No longer ‘half slave, half free’

Supposedly, the Civil War dismantled the politics that pitted “slave states” against “free states.” And yet the effect of the punishment-exception clause in the Thirteenth Amendment was to not only sanction the preservation of slavery and involuntary servitude, but also to extend it nationwide.
by Deborah G. Plant August 23, 2024 Updated January 17, 2026

‘Grossly insufficient’: Judge blasts DOC-suggested fixes for Angola’s Farm Line

by Nick Chrastil August 16, 2024 Updated August 16, 2024

Appeals court rules in favor of chihuahua search party

by Nick Chrastil August 6, 2024 Updated August 14, 2024

Angola’s proposed Farm Line fix ‘borders on bad faith,’ lawyers contend

A federal judge ordered the DOC to improve conditions for workers forced to in Angola’s fields. The crews now have sunscreen and a 10x10 popup tent for shade.
by Nick Chrastil August 5, 2024 Updated August 7, 2024

Louisiana is giving second chances to bad policy. It should be extending those second chances to our neighbors.

by Sarah Omojola August 1, 2024 Updated August 1, 2024

‘Torturous’: Judge places solitary confinement and mental health care at David Wade prison under federal oversight

The north Louisiana prison was using solitary confinement as a “depository for the mentally ill,” judge had ruled.
by Nick Chrastil July 24, 2024 Updated July 24, 2024

Fifth Circuit appeals court sides with Angola’s Farm Line workers

Though the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals differed with some of the district court’s July 2 decision, the higher court agreed that Angola Farm Line workers deserve water, rest, and equipment to protect from heat
by Katy Reckdahl July 14, 2024 Updated July 15, 2024

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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.
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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.

 
 

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