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Tag: Juvenile Justice

To lead us, you must listen to us

A message to all city leaders and adults from “The Seven That Make It Happen,” a youth council of Black teenagers ages 16 and 17, who are detained pre-trial in Orleans Parish’s juvenile jail
by The Seven That Make It Happen February 4, 2026 Updated February 7, 2026

Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice to end contract with troubled Jackson Parish jail

Invoices show that Jackson charged OJJ nearly $2 million dollars over the past year to house juveniles in the jail, despite grave allegations of abuse and mistreatment.
by Nick Chrastil November 25, 2024 Updated November 27, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’

Nick Chrastil on The Lens' lawsuit against the state Office of Juvenile Justice for public records related to its $9.5m emergency staffing contract. And author Matthew Kincaid joins us to talk about his new book: Freedom Teaching.
by Carolyne Heldman January 26, 2024 Updated January 26, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 220: ‘Mothers want their kids out of there’

This week on Behind The Lens, Jackson Parish’s is housing kids awaiting adjudication in a detention center unlicensed to do so and state A through F letter grades are due out soon.
by Carolyne Heldman November 10, 2023 Updated November 14, 2023

Jackson Parish holding pre-trial youth in unlicensed juvenile jail

Despite lacking a required DCFS license, Jackson’s detention center is housing kids awaiting adjudication — and collecting roughly $200 a day per kid from surrounding parishes
by Nick Chrastil November 2, 2023 Updated November 2, 2023

‘Another step backwards’: $9.5 million private security contract for Louisiana youth prisons raises eyebrows

OJJ pays $75 per hour to staffing company for guards. Critics say that contractor seems to be “enriching themselves on the backs of Louisiana's teenagers and taxpayers’
by Nick Chrastil October 25, 2023 Updated November 2, 2023

State Supreme Court declines to take up case about Louisiana kids jailed out-of-state

The state's highest court refuses opportunity to resolve long-standing dispute about whether shipping detained kids out of state violates Louisiana law.
by Nick Chrastil June 5, 2023 Updated November 2, 2023

Louisiana’s state-run juvenile detention facilities no longer accepting kids, citing lack of bed space

The Office of Juvenile Justice will ask judges to release kids who can be "safely reintegrated back into the community."
by Nick Chrastil November 16, 2022 Updated November 2, 2023

Hearing on suit challenging juvenile transfers to Angola ends without ruling from bench

The judge presiding over the suit, who called the case against the state ‘thin,’ will issue a ruling later this month.
by Nick Chrastil September 8, 2022 Updated November 2, 2023

New Orleans teens in detention center were evacuated to adult prison for Hurricane Ida

Louisiana juvenile advocates question whether youth transfer was legal.
by Rachel Mipro and Julie O'Donoghue, Louisiana Illuminator September 15, 2021 Updated November 17, 2023

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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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