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Category
Criminal Justice

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

Oakdale federal prison resumes and expands COVID-19 testing

Eight Oakdale prisoners have already died from the disease.
by Nick Chrastil May 18, 2020 Updated May 18, 2020

Federal judge denies challenge to state’s Camp J program to house local inmates with COVID-19

Plaintiffs argue the camp is unsanitary and has inadequate medical care.
by Nick Chrastil May 15, 2020 Updated May 15, 2020

Plea deals resume via video feed at New Orleans criminal court

The court has been closed, and many proceedings suspended, for two months due to the COVID-19 crisis.
by Nick Chrastil May 14, 2020 Updated May 14, 2020

Oakdale inmate dies from COVID-19 two days after scheduled release

‘I would like for you to put in bold letters that we do hold the prison responsible for this,’ the man’s son told The Lens.
by Nick Chrastil May 12, 2020 Updated May 12, 2020

Panelists assess coronavirus’ impact on prisons, jails, and criminal justice reform efforts

Nearly 350 state prisoners have tested positive, 80 in New Orleans jail.
by Nick Chrastil May 7, 2020 Updated May 7, 2020

Lawsuit filings reveal new details about use of Angola facility to house coronavirus patients

DOC says the plan has “worked very well thus far.” The plaintiffs say inmates don’t receive adequate medical care and conditions are unsanitary.
by Nick Chrastil May 6, 2020 Updated May 7, 2020

Official in charge of jail says he thinks it’s in shape for Sheriff Gusman to retake control

Compliance director says jail is in ‘100 percent substantial compliance' with consent decree.
by Nick Chrastil May 1, 2020 Updated May 1, 2020

New Orleans Police Department to end ‘informational’ checkpoints

The checkpoints, which were scheduled to go to the end of the city's stay-at-home order, have been criticized by civil rights groups.
by Nick Chrastil April 30, 2020 Updated April 30, 2020

‘It’s a war’: New Orleans jail struggles to manage COVID-19 outbreak as it implements mass testing

The jail's compliance director speaks with The Lens about his decision to expand inmate testing and the challenges of keeping a deadly infection in check in a confined environment.
by Nick Chrastil April 29, 2020 Updated April 29, 2020

‘They’re scared to death’: Former prisoners seek to shine light on COVID case growth among locked-up women in state

The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is reporting more positive cases than any other state prison.
by Nick Chrastil April 28, 2020 Updated April 28, 2020

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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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