Significant COVID-19 outbreaks reported at New Orleans jail, Louisiana state prisons
Nearly 100 detainees at the jail are reported to be positive, and more than 400 at state prisons.
Category: Criminal Justice
In first day of civil rights trial, former David Wade prisoners describe years of solitary confinement, filthy living areas and poor mental health care
Civil rights groups filed the federal class-action suit nearly four years ago. The trial finally began this week.
Bobby Sneed set free after months-long fight with state parole board
The former Angola prisoner sued the board in state and federal court after members stripped his release last year.
NOPD announces it will no longer issue citations for simple possession of marijuana, months after council pardon ordinance
The New Orleans City Council passed a law last year requiring automatic pardons for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Class-action lawsuit over conditions and mental health care at David Wade correctional set for trial next week
Prisoners claim they are not treated for mental illness, kept in solitary confinement for months.
‘Everybody needs oversight’: Sheriff-elect Susan Hutson talks about her plans for remaking a troubled agency
Hutson will have a lengthy transition period, not taking office until May. It’s not yet clear whether, or to what degree, she will be included in decision-making during the transition.
Despite City Council pardon in August, marijuana convictions remain on criminal records
Municipal Court judge says that the process for such a large blanket pardon was not made clear before the council approved it.
After momentary ‘release,’ Angola prisoner Bobby Sneed rearrested and put in local jail
Sneed is suing the state parole board for illegal imprisonment, following an unusual decision to strip his parole last spring.
Louisiana policy intended to reform solitary confinement still leaves people in indefinite lockdown
Officials say the total number of people in restrictive housing has gone down, but the state doesn’t keep enough data to substantiate that claim.
New sheriff in town
In a major upset, Hutson defeats 17-year incumbent Sheriff Marlin Gusman.
