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.
Category
Criminal Justice
Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.
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.
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.
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.”
After city contract solicitation produced only two bidders, panel recommends city stay with current jail health vendor
The selection of Wellpath for the multimillion-dollar contract came in spite of criticism from incoming Sheriff Susan Hutson, who takes office next month. The committee vote means the Cantrell administration is now free to negotiate a final contract.
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
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.
Judge to city: No more delays on Phase III
City now says FEMA is causing delays.
Jail healthcare contract still undecided after selection committee defers vote
Wellpath has held the contract, worth millions per year, since 2014.
Orleans DA’s review of split-jury convictions has slowed since last year, but office maintains it’s making progress
After vacating 22 cases at once a month into Williams’ tenure, the reviews are now more individualized. The head of the Civil Rights Division now says the office can’t commit to vacating all non-unanimous cases.
