ORLEANS PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE RELEASES STATEMENT ON RECENT STABBING INCIDENTS INSIDE THE ORLEANS JUSTICE CENTER

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Sheriff Susan Hutson provided an update to the public on the status of the protest inside one of the Orleans Justice Center's 24 pods where residents are held.

Residents of the high-security pod, 2E, continued their refusal to enter their cells and comply with OPSO commands to remove barricades from entryways to their pod. (2E is the same pod where three recent stabbings occurred) OPSO deputies have repeatedly offered the residents of the pod food and water – the residents have repeatedly refused to accept food or water. Food and water were offered on Saturday, 13 August 2022 at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., and on Sunday, 14 August at 6:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.

Water access in 2E was revoked after the residents mixed soap with water and placed the mixture near the entryways of the pod. They also blocked the glass windows facing into the pod from the control modules where deputies secure the pod.

Medical teams attempted to distribute medication to residents who routinely take medication. Those attempts were refused.

Sheriff's deputies are continuing to employ best practices to deescalate the situation. They are engaging in negotiations with the residents in the hopes of resolving this matter without the use of force. So far, offers to resolve this matter have all been refused by the leaders of the protest.

OPSO released a request letter submitted by residents of 2E. Among their requests, they asked that a recent alternating lockdown schedule be changed. The schedule, which permits half the residents of 2E to be out of their cells at a given time, was implemented after three residents were stabbed in that pod over a five-day period. Other requests, such as requests for a "washer, dryer and kiosk", are likely due to residents breaking those machines to fashion weapons in the past.

OPSO also plans to release new video footage of the residents of 2E dancing and playing board games, along with time-stamped still images over the past 72 hours.

The remaining 23 pods of the Orleans Justice Center are operating within normal parameters.

In a statement, Sheriff Hutson said:

"I promised our community that we would reduce the use of force inside OJC and I intend to honor that promise. I also promised the staff of OJC, every deputy who puts their life on the line, that I would keep their safety and the safety of every resident – our community's family and our neighbors – as my top priority, and I will do that too. I have instructed my team to use best practices to deescalate and resolve this matter without the use of force. It is unfortunate that some of the residents of one of our 24 pods are using this moment to paint a false picture for the media – but we have a process for any grievance or complaint to be heard and addressed and that process must be followed by everyone inside OJC. In releasing this information today, including the letter, video, and photographs, I am keeping my commitment to be transparent about what is happening inside our jail. My team and I will provide regular updates if the situation changes. - Sheriff Susan Hutson

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