Monitors tasked with overseeing the New Orleans jail and tracking its compliance with the long-running federal consent decree said staff falsified suicide-watch documentation, rubber-stamped investigations to justify uses of force, and that the facility is dangerously understaffed.
Tag: Orleans Parish jail consent decree
Posted inCriminal Justice
Orleans Parish Sheriff Hutson withholding investigative records related several ‘serious’ uses of force on mental health tier
In late January, a sergeant working in the New Orleans jail called for backup because a detainee, who was housed on a tier reserved for people with mental health needs, had a broomstick in his cell. When three deputies arrived, they found the cell window covered in feces and “a large amount of unknown liquid […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Quatrevaux criticizes sheriff’s plan to award jail contract behind closed doors
A Sheriff’s Office committee selected a company in private, but the agency won’t say who it is.
Posted inCriminal Justice
In court hearing, city and sheriff dig in their heels on cost of mental health care at OPP
The current facility is in terrible condition, and inmates are not well supervised. The solutions are expensive.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Gusman wants $4 million from city of New Orleans in next year to house mentally ill inmates
The figure was disclosed in a recent court filing, but not in a City Council committee meeting.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Gusman signs off on plan to use existing property tax to run Orleans Parish Prison
$5 million a year could be used to pay for jail costs if voters approve the change.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Court monitor says Gusman is behind schedule on jail reforms
His office has missed deadlines for 62 of 65 requirements outlined in court documents.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Live webcast: Charles Maldonado discusses NOPD, OPP consent decrees
Watch live here at 8 p.m. Thursday after WYES broadcasts a documentary examining the consent decrees.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Orleans Parish sheriff candidates spar over jail conditions, size and funding
Sheriff Marlin Gusman said vulnerable inmates are not being placed with violent offenders.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City to give sheriff $2 million to pay for jail consent decree next year
That’s not much more than was allocated for the last three months of 2013.