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.
