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.