June 7, 2007

At around 2:30 am, the individual was pulled over while driving on Interstate-10. A breathalyser was administered, and the officers searched the vehicle. She was arrested for DUI and reckless driving. Overall, both the arresting officers and corrections officers treated her “alright.” She stayed in the holding cell the entire time. The cell was described as “dirty” and “nasty.” However, no mold was seen. She did not have any respiratory problems or headaches. A public defender never tried to contact her. They released her the same day at 4:40 pm. All of her property was returned.

June 1, 2007

I.

On May 16^th, the individual was arrested, while walking in the French Quarter, for obstructing a public place and begging. However, he had $40.00 in his pocket at the time. He was not read his rights and was illegally searched. During the arrest, the officers verbally harassed him. They held him for 24 hours. From 11:30 pm on May 16 to noon on May 17, he was in the holding cell. He was given cold sandwiches and packed into a windowless cell that was standing room only. About forty (or more) people were in the cell with him. Corrections officers verbally abused him. The individual stated that, “Livestock are treated better.” He didn’t notice any mold. He has sinus problems so he did experience some respiratory problems, however, he didn’t have any headaches. He was not allowed to make phone calls, and none of his family was notified that he was in jail. The only time he saw a public defender was in court. He had to accept what was offered to him, and plead no contest. The court gave him 30 days to pay $235.00 or he will be locked up. His court date for obstruction is June 18, 2007 and July 17, 2007 for begging. Upon release, his clothes were not returned and $40.00 was in his pants pocket.

II.

The individual was transferred from Jefferson Parish to OPP on May 20, 2007. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant. He previously pled guilty on a charge, but didn’t make the court date so he had to serve ten days. While at OPP, he was transferred upstairs to HOD. The conditions in the jail were “nasty.” Many people had infections and pink-eye, and it was very moldy. “HOD is bacteria infested.” A cell that should only hold ten people, instead held fifteen. People rarely got food and water. In the holding cell, the bathrooms were “germ infested” and backed-up. The holding cell could only comfortably accommodate about thirty people, but they packed in about eighty. The individual experienced headaches because of the conditions. He also had two cracked ribs and only received one aspirin in his ten-day stay. He had to pay $5.00 for each aspirin. Overall, he said that the corrections officers were “pretty fair.” A public defender never tried to contact him, but he said he didn’t need one anyway. All of his property was returned upon release. The individual does have a pending lawsuit for an illegal strip search.

III.

The individual was arrested for an outstanding warrant involving traffic tickets from a few years ago. At the time, the woman was driving when she noticed that the police were following her. She pulled over to let them pass and as soon as she pulled back onto the road they pulled her over for not using her turn signal. The officer asked her, “Where’s the drugs?” The woman is pregnant, and the officers refused to stop smoking in the vehicle– even though she asked them not to. She was not informed of her rights, but she was allowed a phone call. The jail cell smelled like urine, there were feces on the toilet, and she didn’t receive proper medical attention. She didn’t want to look around so she wasn’t sure if there was a mold problem. The corrections officers wouldn’t answer her questions, and there was no one there to translate for the Spanish speaking prisoners. Although she is pregnant, she was housed with the general population. She also noted that if you are pretty, the guards were more likely to be nice to you. One corrections officer even asked for her phone number.

IV.

The individual was vacationing in New Orleans with his family. They drove here from Phoenix, AZ in his daughter’s car– the family’s only transportation. A few days before the arrest, Edward left his family and took the car for the entire night. He admitted to being out binge drinking. His family became worried about him, so his daughter notified the police that her father and her car are missing. When he returned the next day, he called the police to let them know that he was back and the car was fine. The police notified him that they put a warrant out for his arrest for the unauthorized use of a vehicle and advised him to turn himself in. He followed orders and turned himself in. The officers made rude comments about his daughter and used very inappropriate language. He was held for 24 hours, but was not sure of the location he was transferred to. The cell smelled of urine, the ceiling leaked, men were so packed in that they were forced to stand for hours, people slept on the floor where there were ants everywhere, and only one out of three toilets worked. He didn’t have any respiratory problems or headaches, and no mold was seen. Overall, the corrections officers treated him fine. He was not told that he could use the phone. The only time he saw a public defender was in court. It seemed like she wanted to help him, but the judge was very strict. He plead not guilty. He plans on petitioning the district attorney. All of his property was returned upon release.

V.

On May 22, 2007, the individual was arrested while driving on Maple Street. The individual picked up some items from the side of a building and put them in his truck. He assumed that the pile was trash and that he could take anything. He was arrested for theft. The arresting officers didn’t allow him to speak to the owner or return the items (he did remove the items from his truck). He feels that the arrest could have been avoided if he was given the chance to explain himself. Both he and his vehicle were not searched. He was held for three days and spent two of those days in a holding cell on the receiving tier. The jail conditions were described as “terrible,” “nasty,” and “dirty.” The plumbing was messed up and only one toilet actually worked. The showers were cold and the toilets were moldy. Inmates were not provided with a change of clothes. He wasn’t fed regularly either. Due to the smell of urine, unclean toilets, and body odor, he ended up getting head and stomach aches. Corrections officers either ignored him when he asked a question or they said they didn’t know. A public defender never contacted him. He now has to wear an ankle bracelet. He does not know when he is scheduled to appear in court. After several days, they finally returned his property.

VI.

A man was arrested on November 5, 2005, while returning a van he used to evacuate stranded citizens after Hurricane Katrina. In the days after Katrina, he made five trips to Texas and evacuated 176 people. On his way to return the van, he passed by the NOPD police station in the French Quarter. That’s when Louisiana state troopers pulled him over. During the arrest, the troopers treated him “lousy.” And the charges were “asinine.” The troopers threw him on the ground and put their foot on his face. The searched him and the vehicle, and took his blood pressure medication and $80.00. None of it was returned upon release. The individual spent 133 days in jail without bond or a court date. There were 15 to 20 people in a ten-person cell. The cells were “filthy,” with mold (they tried to paint over the mold on the walls), and rats. There were no windows on 7^th floor and there wasn’t heat. Half the time the water didn’t work, and he even went two days without water. For a few months they had catered food, but after that, meals would be four hours late, overcooked, and often consisted of rice. He did receive good medical treatment on the hospital floor. Other than the corrections officers refusing to give him extra blankets, he thought he was treated decently. A public defender never contacted him. On May 15, 2006, he was released on 701. While in jail, the individual experienced the loss of wages, employment, job opportunity, and housing. His family paid $600.00 for ten collect phone calls They never returned his boots: he was discharged in flip-flops instead.

VII.

The individual was arrested at his home in Jefferson Parish on May 29, 2007 for obstruction of justice, misdemeanor theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and an attachment for disturbing the peace. He was searched. During the arrest, officers violently punched him, even in the throat. The handcuffs were so tight that his wrists were bleeding and bruised. One officer grabbed his hat and wiped the windshield with it. He was not allowed to speak to his mother, who was also in the house at the time. The individual spent two days in the Jefferson Parish holding cell and was then transferred to OPP for five hours. The cell was packed and filthy, and only one out of three toilets worked. Mold was noticed in the cracks in the walls and on the floor. He wasn’t given anything to eat other than pepper sausage. He didn’t experience any respiratory problems or headaches, but he felt very claustrophobic. Corrections officers refused to let another detainee out to go to the bathroom so they left 30-40 people in a cell with feces that they never bothered to clean up. He plead guilty and was released on his own recognizance. All of his property was returned upon release.

VIII.

A man was arrested for a probation violation that was terminated in December. The individual has been held for 17 weeks in central lock-up with no mattress. Instead, he has been sleeping on a towel laid over the concrete floor. Today, he should have been released at 9 am, but it is 5 pm and he is still being held.

IX.

The individual was arrested on May 31^st while sitting in the Riverwalk area. The arresting officers (one of them was Officer Fortunia) searched her extensively and inappropriately in front of two other men. They charged her with obstructing a public place and sleeping on public property. She was held just over 24 hours at OPP. At first, she was held in the holding cell, but at 1:30 am they transferred her upstairs. The jail conditions were “bad:” dirty, unsanitary, roach infested, with mold and mildew everywhere. There was no water coming from the sinks, and the toilets were plugged. In the holding cell, the detainees received breakfast at 4 am and were only fed a sandwich at dinner. The individual didn’t experience any headaches, however, she does have asthma and a history of seizures. She was not given any medication for either condition. She is also a stroke victim, and while in jail she never received medical attention for that condition either. Corrections officers were disrespectful and treaded her horribly, often using foul language. A public defender did contact her to inform her that she was being released. All of her property was returned upon release.

Previously, the individual has been arrested in 2002 for lewd conduct. She was released for that offense on February 14, 2002. She was also in jail during Hurricane Katrina. Immediately before Katrina, she witnessed officers beat a man to death. She has a long history of arresting officers not returning her property. In the past, they have taken $15.00, jewelry (specifically a watch) worth $500.00, and a tongue ring.

 

 

May 31, 2007

I.
This individual has been arrested on three different occasions for public drunkenness (was held at OPP twice and was transferred to Jefferson once). He insists that he doesn’t drink, and that he was never been tested for intoxication at the time of these arrests. The same officers arrested on each occasion. They told him they plan to arrest him every time they see him. These two officers work in the French Quarter. The last time he was arrested on this charge was November 25, 2006 while walking down the street. During the arrest, he was searched and the officers were physically rough– enough to give him bruises– and they were also verbally abusive. At first, he was in the holding area and then transferred to a tent. The holding area was awful, with no showers or food. Inmates were packed in so tightly they were touching. He didn’t observe any mold and had no health issues. He was one of the first prisoners to use the tents so the conditions were good. During his stay, corrections officers physically and verbally abused him. Without any explanation, he was released after one month. His wallet and clothes were taken and never returned.

During Hurricane Katrina, the individual also served a six month sentence for cocaine possession and was moved to Hunts. On this occasion, he was driving a work truck with six other people in the vehicle. They searched the vehicle and found cocaine. He was the only one arrested. Bond was not set within 72 hours after his arrest, and it took four or five months for a court appearance. During the evacuation, he said that his human rights were repeatedly violated. While being temporarily housed at the greyhound bus station, he witnessed prisoners being maced, tasered, and shot with bean bag guns by corrections officers. For the six months he spent in prison he experienced the loss of wages, his job, benefits, and housing (he was homeless after Katrina).

In total, this individual has served one year for public drunkenness (on three different occasions) and cocaine possession. He is unsure if he has ever been read his rights, but on no occasion was he allowed access to the phone, and at no point did a public defender interview or call him.

II.
The individual was a passenger in a vehicle, driven by her mother, when she was arrested in Algiers on May 30^th. The individual and her mother were going to the store to pick up some Neosporin. During the arrest, Officer Sullivan was physically abusive, including kicking her. The officers didn’t search her pockets, but they planted marijuana and arrested her for possession. She was held upstairs in HOD for 24 hours. While there, she noticed mold on the ceiling and in corners, and the ceiling was leaking. About 50 people were packed in the cell. She didn’t experience any respiratory problems or headaches while in jail. The corrections officers made her wait 45 minutes to use the bathroom. All requests were ignored by the officers. She was not allowed to use the phone. A public defender contacted her and told her that she would have to go to drug court. The bond was set at $500.00, and she is scheduled to appear in court on June 1^st. All of her possessions were returned upon release.

III.
The individual was pulled over on January 10, 2007, while driving in Algiers. The arrest was due to a warrant stemming from a 2 ½ year old theft charge. Since then, he has been jailed on this charge three or four times. The last time he was arrested for this was July 5, 2005– he was released on October 30, 2006 on article 701. (During that time he was incarcerated in Jefferson Parish and had to be evacuated due to Katrina. He said that went days without access to the bathroom.) He wasn’t allowed bond because he was deemed a flight risk. Both the individual and his vehicle were not searched, and he didn’t have any problems with the arresting officers. He was transferred from Angola to OPP’s HOD. While in HOD, he was not fed adequately; he was only fed every three or four days. He did not receive medication regularly; he even went without meds for seven days (he was charged $5.00 for medication). There were no mats to lie down on, and 45-50 people were packed in a cell. During health inspections, officers made everyone get off the floor, clear their mats out and stand—they only had 17 to a cell then. The plumbing was broken and there wasn’t a working toilet in the yard. He witnessed guards beating inmates. The individual also stated that although he was in for a nonviolent misdemeanor they put him in maximum security lock-down where he sat in his cell for 23 hours a day.

He was released on May 31, 2007 on article 701. His bond was not set within 72 hours and he still hasn’t appeared in court. He was not given access to a public defender until he filed a written complaint. Eventually, he spoke with a pubic defender who told him to get a lawyer. The individual has seen a public defender twice, but only in court. While in court, the pd never spoke to him, s/he only spoke with the deputies. All of his property was returned upon release.

IV.
On May 30^th, a woman was involved in a car accident near Franklin and Gentilly Avenue. During the accident she sustained bruising of her left leg and was denied medical attention, instead she was arrested. The officers at the scene ran her license and found that she had an attachment for a suspended license. They did not search her or the car. She was never notified of her rights, nor was she allowed to use the phone. The only way her family knew that she was being held is because she called them right after the accident. The arresting officer was nice to her, but the corrections officers were “horrible.” They were verbally abusive, often cursing at her and other inmates. She said that they were treated like “trash” and like “dogs.” During her stay at OPP, they moved her twice between the holding cell and across the street. She met some people that had been in the holding cell for two days. She was not given sheets or pillows, and was only allowed one blanket. Everyone had to lie on a vinyl mat that hadn’t been cleaned. She didn’t see any mold, and didn’t have any respiratory problems or headaches. A public defender never contacted her. She was released on her own recognizance on May 31^st at 5:40 pm. All of her property was returned upon release.

V.
The night of May 30^th, the individual and a friend were arrested on Bourbon Street for asking someone for a lighter and trying to trade cigarettes with them. At that point, officers put them in handcuffs and were told that they were being arrested for prostitution. The officers said they had the solicitation on video, which was bogus. They were not read their rights and were searched when they arrived at the jail. The undercover arresting officers, believed to be Officer Ciroir and Officer Labat, made disrespectful and sexually inappropriate comments. The officers took their cigarettes, a lighter, and condoms– the items were never returned. They were in the holding cell for just under 24 hours. The cell smelled bad, there was no room to lie down, the floors were filthy (cleaned once in 20 hours), no water came from the sink, there was no toilet paper, the toilet was moldy, and there were people going through drug withdrawal vomiting on the floor. The individual experienced a migraine headache that received no medical treatment. She also noticed that there was a pregnant woman in a cell with everyone else. A public defender never contacted her. At this time, she is unsure of the conditions of her release.

VI.
A man was beaten by a corrections officer just before being released (at approximately 5:20 pm on May 31^st). Another detainee witnessed the beating. At the time, the man was too upset to speak to us. But the witness said that the beating was completely unprovoked.

VII.
On April 19, the individual was arrested while driving away from a Kmart in Jefferson Parish. The charges were misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor attachment from New Orleans Parish. Basically, he was charged for giving a ride to a girl. He didn’t have any stolen property on him. He was treated “badly” by the arresting officers. They informed him of his rights, and both him and his vehicle were searched. He was held for 42 days: three of them spent in the holding cell, two days in the tent camp, and the remainder in Conchetta. The tents were “decent,” HOD was “livable,” and the holding cell was “filthy.” It was standing room only, with people sleeping on the floor. There was no plumbing so the cell smelled like urine. Mold was all over the jail. He has emphysema so he experienced respiratory problems, but he didn’t have any headaches. The corrections officers were “not bad.” A pubic defender never contacted him. He was released when his sentence was served. All of his property was lost and never returned.

 

May 2007

I.

The individual was assaulted by two men on Bourbon Street. He sustained a broken brow ridge and was taken to the hospital. They issued a warrant for his arrest while he was in the hospital, and there was a $15,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Soon after he was discharged from the hospital, he was arrested for aggravated assault while walking down the street in Jefferson Parish. He was searched, and nothing was taken that wasn’t returned. He was held in jail for four days, and was eventually transferred upstairs once bond was set. The conditions were packed and very hot, with only one fan in the cell. The cell was packed with approximately sixteen people. The plumbing worked, and he was allowed to shower once a day. He was fed well (fruit and juice). He did not see any mold or have any respiratory problems, but he was, however, treated for chest pains. The corrections officers treated him “not bad.” He did see a public defender, but wasn’t given any advice. Moreover, the public defender told him to shut up when explaining his situation to the judge. He plead not guilty and was released on $50,000 bond (which he had to get from a bond company). At the time of the interview he was unsure of the court date. All of his property was returned upon release.

II.
A man was arrested on Harrison Avenue for driving without a license. He reports that nothing bad happened during the arrest. He was put in the holding cell for a few hours. The cell was crowded and dirty, and there was no toilet paper. No mold was seen and he didn’t experience any respiratory problems or headaches. He did notice that a man who was bitten by a dog did receive medical treatment. During his stay, he was never contacted by a public defender. They released him the same day, and all of his property was returned. His court date was the next day.

III.

The individual was arrested while walking on January 17, 2007 for possession of cocaine and criminal trespassing. The arresting officers treated him/her “fine.” The jail conditions were crowded, especially upstairs where there were 23-24 people packed into a 15 person cell. S/he described the conditions as “foul.” All personal items were returned upon release.

 

 

April 20, 2007

I.

On April 18th, a female was arrested while walking in the French Quarter. Immediately before the arrest, she was conversing with an undercover officer when he asked for her phone number. As soon as she gave him the number, she was put in handcuffs. When she asked what she was being arrested for the officer replied, “You know what… I’ll figure something out.” While being searched, the officer found marijuana and remarked, “Now I’ve got something.” During the arrest the officer was verbally abusive– using foul language and making sexual comments. They charged her with soliciting and possession of marijuana. She was held for a total of two days. Eighteen of those hours were spent in a holding cell until she was eventually transferred upstairs. The jail conditions were dirty and unsanitary. Mold was all over the walls of the shower and restroom area. They did allow her to keep her inhaler so that she could treat her asthma. Overall, the corrections officers were rude and unresponsive to any requests or questions. After 24 hours she was able to speak with a public defender in court. The public defender told her that s/he had no information on her case, and only asked her basic questions about herself. She received no advice. She was released on bond, and was scheduled for a court date on April 23^rd. Upon release, her purse (containing her ID, cell phone and credit cards), which was confiscated by the arresting officer, was “lost.” The only thing returned was her money.

II.
On April 9^th, the individual was pulled over and arrested, while driving near the Chalmette/NOLA boundary. The charge was public drunkenness, however, no alcohol test was administered. Neither her nor the vehicle was searched. During the arrest, she slipped the handcuffs. She asked what the charges were and the officer said, “Why are you Chalmette people always in trouble?” When she got to the jail she was not booked. She was held for 11 days. The jail was cold, with many bugs in the cell. The cell held 23 people. There was mold present in the holding cell. Corrections officers were rude and gave certain inmates preferential treatment. In the holding cell, she witnessed six officers verbally harassing a man. The public defender never tried to reach her. She was allowed to call her husband who brought her extra clothes from home. They held her for a few hours longer than they were supposed to because they lost her clothes, however, they were never returned.

III.
On April 19, 2007, the individual was brought to the SUNO campus police station to fill out a report. She was then taken into another room and told that they were charging her with disturbing the peace. When asked what she was being arrested for, Officer Miller (state officer) stated, “Oh, you want to be arrested?” Then he stood her up and put handcuffs on her. She was not searched. She had been in jail since the afternoon of the 19^th and was moved to SWS. The jail conditions were “disgusting.” There was scum in the toilet and no toilet paper. She didn’t see any mold. Erin witnessed two people being maced by officers in a packed holding cell– there were approximately 47 people in the cell at the time. Once the officers finished macing them, they shut the cell door and left. People had asthma attacks from the fumes. A public defender never contacted her, but she said that someone must have gone to court for her. Apparently, one man was sent to court on behalf of everyone being held. She was released on bond. There isn’t a set court date, but she has been subpoenaed. All of her property was returned upon release.

IV.
On the morning of April 19, the individual was a passenger when the car was stopped near the Interstate 10 off-ramp on Claiborne Avenue. The officers searched her and the vehicle. She was arrested for a possession attachment. The charge was previously settled when the officer didn’t show up in court; the judge told her the case was closed. She believes that the officers basically arrested her for driving in a car with a black man and that the bogus attachment was used to justify the search. The arresting officers treated her “horrible.” At 4:30 am they transferred her to another location where there were 45 people in one 6’x10’ cell. The conditions were “disgusting.” The rooms had not been cleaned, there wasn’t a shower, the water was scalding, there was mold in the toilet, there were bugs in the water container, and she had to beg to get fed baloney twice a day. She didn’t experience any respiratory problems or headaches while in jail. At 4:00 am, the corrections officers maced two women – one was drunk and fighting with another woman. At the same time the officers gave them warning, they started spraying them with mace. The corrections officers left everyone in the holding cell with the fumes for five minutes. A public defender never contacted her. One man went to court for everyone, but apparently he was brought to the wrong court. The judge told him that the “case was closed,” and then it was reopened and move to a different court. She is not sure of her court date because the computers were down. She is still waiting for her property to be returned.

December 1, 2006

A man was arrested while he was sitting in his friend’s limousine. The limousine was stopped because of tinted windows. He had on him Turkish tobacco. The police officers who had stopped them accused him of possessing marijuana. There was no “lab people” present. (people eligible to determine what substance was in the bag). He was arrested under a minor possession of marijuana charge. He was not read his rights. He was searched without permission. The police officers took his refillable butane lighter, which he is under the impression that these lighters are allowed inside the jail, to be left with his other possessions. He was in the prison system for 50 days. He appeared in front of a magistrate judge who set his bond. He wanted to pay his own bond, as he had no friend or family member who could pay his bond for him. He attempted to talk to more than one official about paying his bond, but was unable to acquire help. He never saw another judge. While in the prison system he was transferred from the holding cell to Templeton, to Angola and finally to Lake Providence. He had not cut his hair in 25 years, and upon arriving at Angola, they cut his hair against his will. Inside the OPP the windows were broken, and there were 15 people in his cell. He was given no bedding. There was mold everywhere and spiders everywhere. He suffered from high blood pressure and was given medical attention in Angola. Most corrections officers ignored the inmates. He was released on November 15 without being given a court date, but the charges are still pending. He is concerned because he does not have an address where a subpoena can be sent to, and the charges are still pending, meaning he could be picked up again at any point.

November 30, 2006

I.

Individual was arrested in the French Quarter in October. He was arrested for public intoxication. He had not had anything to drink that day, and was not given a breathalyzer test. He was not read his rights. He describes the police who arrested him as treating him “vulgarly”. He spent 5 days in the holding cell and then was transferred to South White Street. He witnessed mold on the walls. He suffered from headaches while in jail. He was not given access to a public defender. His family was not informed of his incarceration.

II.

A man was arrested on October 31, 2006 on Royale Street. He was walking. He was picked up on an attachment when he went in to renew his ID. He says that when the police arrested him, they beat him up. He was held for 30 days, and stayed in the same cell the whole time. He describes the conditions of the jail as “bad”. There were 125 people in his cell, which was designed to house 90. People slept on the floor. He did not witness any mold. He describes the corrections officers as treating him “real bad,” and putting their hands on them. He was not returned his ID upon release, instead they gave him the ID of a man 20 years younger than him from Colorado, while he is from New Orleans. A public defender never interviewed or spoke to him. He was given 30 days and then released.

III.

A man was arrested 7 months ago on Canal Street as he was walking. He charged with a warrant for criminal trespassing from 2 years ago. He describes the police officers’ treatment of him upon his arrest as ‘awful’.  He was held in the holding cell for two weeks, and then transferred to South White Street D4. He worked in the kitchen, and a steel door fell on him in the kitchen. He plans on contacting his attorney about that incident. He describes the jail as “not together”. There were 24 people in a 15 person cell. He saw a lot of mold. He says that the corrections officers treated him “alright,” though some “act funny”. He was not returned his cell phone upon release. A public defender never saw him or spoke to him. He did his time and was released.

IV.

A man was arrested on October 31 in New Orleans East. He was arrested while standing in the front yard of his cousin’s house. He was charged with trespassing and an attachment. He was searched without consent. He describes the police officers who arrested him as “harassing and disrespectful”. The police did not take anything from him which was not returned. He was held in jail for 30 days. He spent the first night of his incarceration in the holding cell, and he was then transferred to HOD. He describes the inside of the jail as filthy, dirty and a harsh environment. There were 18 people per dorm, with people sleeping on the floor. He did not witness any mold. He suffered from both respiratory problems and headaches while in jail. He says the corrections officers treated him decently. The corrections officers returned all of his property. A public defender never spoke to him. He did time, and was released.

V.

Individual was arrested on Halloween night on South Claiborne. He was walking. He was arrested for theft. He was not read his rights. He was not searched. He describes the police who arrested him as “throwing stuff,” and has sustained a mark, described as a deep cut in his head. He thinks it was a stapler. The officers did not take anything from him that was not returned. He was held for 30 days and during his time there he was transferred all over. He describes the condition of the jail as “poor”. He did not see any mold. He did not suffer from any respiratory problems or headaches. He was treated “like a prisoner,” “not well for a misdemeanor”, he was “treated like a felon”. A public defender did not talk to him, though they were there. He plead guilty, served time and was released.

November 10, 2006

A man was arrested for disturbance of the peace and battery. He was searched without consent. He was held from 1:30 am-3:30 pm. He describes the jail as crowded and filthy with at least 30 people in his cell. He was not given access to counsel.

November 3, 2006

I.

A man was arrested for drug possession. He was beat with a club. There were witnesses to the assault. He was searched, and the police took $98 from him. He was held in jail for 125 days. He describes the inside of the jail as overcrowded, dirty, no hot water and broken toilets. He developed a rash while incarcerated and was given antibiotics.

 II.

A man was arrested while parked in a car in Jefferson Parish on Veteran’s Day on a charge of unauthorized towing, while he was removing cars deposited by Katrina on a property, under instructions from the property owner. The officer made a “Rodney King” comment and threatened tazing and wrenched thumbs, and also took money from his wallet, which was not returned. He was transferred and served 60 days for what he says were made up charges of selling crack cocaine and marijuana in jail. There were 15 people in a 10 person cell, with people sleeping on the floor. There was mold in the HOD, 5 South, as well as peeling paint and mold in the A/C. One day there was no hot water. The next day prisoners were forced to take showers in 130 degree water. He suffered respiratory problems and headaches while in jail. Corrections officers were sleeping on the job, making threats and verbally abusing prisoners and allowing them to beat others. He suffered beatings by his guards.

 III.

A man was “pulled over for nothing” while driving on Chipper Walk and Annunciation. He was held on an attachment for trespassing. His vehicle was searched without permission. The arresting officer made racist comments, saying “Black motherfuckers always in some shit.” He was held from October 13 to November 3, being transferred to HOD, 6th floor, on October 16. Conditions in jail were described as “bad,” with 18 people in a 13 person cell. The jail “stinks” and serves the same food. It was cold and there were no sheets or mats provided. There was mold on the ceilings and near the bunks. While in jail he had a cold and headache. He says that corrections officers beat people and that an officer in South White Street, D2, beat a man until he had a seizure. He did time, had no trial and had no court date was set.

 IV.

A man was walking, stopped, and arrested for failure to appear in court. He was searched without consent or due cause. He spent 30 days incarcerated. He describes the conditions as “terrible” with “too many people in one cell”. He had both headaches and respiratory  problems while in jail, and saw mold everywhere. He was not given access to counsel.

 V.

A man was walking on Marais when he was arrested on June 28th and charged with possession of crack cocaine, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. His vehicle was searched.

The five arresting officers were rough. A female officer hit him with a club. He required medical treatment for his injuries. There were eyewitnesses to this beating. $98 was taken from him and not returned. 

He was held in jail for 125 days. Conditions on the jail were described as being dirty and overcrowded, with 78 beds for 165 people. The toilets did not work; there was no hot water; there was mold in the lockers. He developed rashes in jail, and was given antibiotics. His treatment at OPP was described as “third world.” $98 was not returned to him by corrections officers.

 VI.

A man was arested for reckless driving, and other traffic charges. There were 16-17 people in his cell. The jail smelled of urine. He was not given access to counsel.

November 2, 2006

 I.

A man was arrested while walking on Airline Highway and held for an attachment. Arresting officers did not read him his rights and were “mean” and “cursed” at him. Police officers took his cigarettes and lighter, which were no returned. He was transferred to White Street and was held for 30 days. He experienced respiratory problems and headaches while in jail. Corrections officers did not return his clothes.

 II.

A man was arrested while sitting on his own doorstep for trespassing. He was not read his rights. The arresting officers would not allow him to go inside his house to get his shoes or a shirt. He was given hot water to drink. There were 15 men in his 10 person cell. He spent 53 days in jail.

III.

An individual was arrested while driving on Harahan and charged with minor possession of marijuana. He had an attachment from a ticket he had received in December 2005 for minor with possession of alcohol. He had called to follow up on the ticket, but was given incorrect information. He was held in the holding cell from 3:30 am to 3 pm the following day. There were 60 people in one cell. He slept on the floor by the toilet, and was cold, having been given no mat or sheet.

 IV.

Individual was arrested in the French Quarter, 8th District. He was charged with begging. He was hit three or four times in the ribs and slapped around in the car (including being slapped in the face). The same officers, who he describes as “harassing” him, had arrested the individual three other times on previous occasions. On the first occasion police took $250. On another occasion they took $20, threw away his ID, SS card and birth certificate, and took his cigarettes.

 V.

Individual was arrested at 12 pm while driving in East New Orleans and charged with driving without a valid license. He was placed in very tight handcuffs, which left markings and bruises that were visible two hours later. The officer was very rough and pushed him around and refused to loosen cuffs when requested. He was held in a holding cell from 12 to 2 pm., and then released.

 VI.

A woman was arrested in Algiers on November 1 on an outstanding warrant for a battery charge. She was not read her rights. She was held in a holding cell from 11 am to 2:30 pm the next day. Jail conditions were described as “nasty,” with trash under the bench. The bathroom was described as “gross,” with no toilet paper. Food was not served on time. She had two cold sandwiches while being held. The water cooler was described as “gross,” as other prisoners had access to throwing trash and spit in the water cooler. She also had to wait for cups before being able to drink. There were 60 people in the cell. She was given no mat or sheet for sleeping and was cold. While in jail she had three headaches. She was given Tylenol once, but requests were ignored two other times. She described his treatment and that of others while at OPP as, “Like you’re shit.”

 VII.

Individual was arrested while driving on Robert E. Lee. The arresting officer told him he was being pulled over for having no seatbelt. He was also charged with possession of ½ gram of marijuana. His vehicle was searched without permission.

Police pulled up alongside him and tried to pit him, after the police lights having been on only a few moments. He pulled over. The police jumped out of the car and pointed a gun in his face and asked, “Why didn’t you pull over, asshole?” This occurred in front of his workplace. Even though he was being cooperative, police still held a gun in his face, slammed him into his truck and cuffed him, yelling at him about not pulling over. He was hit in the back of his head and still has a knot. He was told, “Welcome to New Orleans, asshole.” Responding to the question, “What will the judge think about this?” the officer said, “Whatever the fuck I tell him to.” He was held in the holding cell from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm the next day. There were 90 people in one cell. There were rows of people lying down. It was cold. There was urine everywhere. There was mold in every cell, up to the water line. He was treated disrespectfully and denied a phone call. He asked: “Can I make a phone call?” The answer was, “You need to talk to Jesus about that.” A Public Defender spoke with him and wanted the judge to drop the charges. He is free on bail.

 VIII.

Individual was arrested while driving in Algiers and charged with possession of marijuana (first offense) and “lewd behavior” for having a cup of urine in his car (He had the cup in the car, as he’s a diabetic, and is sometimes incontinent). Officer took $200 from him (leaving $1), which was not returned. He was held in a holding cell from 8:30 pm to 4:30 pm the next day. The condition of the jail is described as dingy, with gnats, and overcrowded, with 55 to 60 people in one cell. He was fed cold sandwiches for dinner and breakfast. He was allowed to make a phone call at 7:15 am.

During his time at OPP he witnessed a man with epilepsy who had a seizure while being fingerprinted around 9 or 9:30 last night. He was smacked to the floor and kicked by an officer. (The man still has marks on his head.)

 IX.

A man was arrested for stealing a screwdriver at Home Depot. He was not read his rights. The arresting officers stole $20 from him. He was put in a cell without toilet facilities, and had to ask over and over to be allowed to go to a toilet facility. He was not given access to counsel.

 X.

A man was driving and charged with marijuana possession. He was held overnight at the OPP. He describes his cell as “nasty” and  having 100 people in it.

 XI.

A woman was arrested outside her house on domestic violence charges. Her handcuffs were put on so tight, that it made her hands numb. She was in an overcrowded cell, with 20 other women. It was dirty. She did not have access to counsel.

 XII.

A man was arrested for domestic violence. He spent two weeks in jail. There were 15 people in his 10 man cell. He had to wait 4 days to get a blanket and mattress. He was not given access to counsel.

 XIII.

A man was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was not read his rights. He was held overnight. His cell was overcowded, and he had difficulty breathin. His medication and his wallet were not returned to him.