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.