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

NEW ORLEANS – Today, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office released details on four stabbing events that occurred over the past eight days.

1. 28 July 2022 - A male resident was stabbed during an altercation inside one of the pods. He was transported to University Medical Center where he was treated and later returned to OJC and was moved to a different pod.
2. 31 July 2022 - A second male resident was stabbed during an altercation inside one of the pods. He was transported to University Medical Center where he was treated and later returned to OJC and was moved to a different pod.
3. 2 August 2022 - A third male resident was stabbed during an altercation inside one of the pods. His injuries did not require off-site medical treatment. Instead, he received proper medical care inside OJC. After his treatment, he was moved to a different pod.
4. 3 August 2022 - A fourth male resident was stabbed during an altercation inside one of the pods. He was transported to University Medical Center where he was treated and later returned to OJC and was moved to a different pod.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office will not, at this time, release the names or other identifying details about the victims. None of the sustained injuries were life-threatening.

Full investigations are being conducted by the Investigative Services Bureau (ISB), under the leadership of Asst. Sheriff Kristen Morales. All involved perpetrators will be charged, accordingly. Further details will be released once ISB has conducted its investigation.

Search and Confiscation of Contraband (weapons)

The Investigative Services Bureau, under the leadership of Asst. Sheriff Kristen Morales, is conducting a thorough investigation of the pods where the incidents occurred. Any contraband (weapons such as shanks, knives, etc.) will be confiscated and residents found to have them in their possession will face additional charges.

Statement from Sheriff Susan Hutson

"Our city is facing a surge in violent crime - that fact is just as true inside the Orleans Justice Center as it is in neighborhoods throughout our city. The safety of residents and staff in OJC is my top priority. I have instructed every person entering the jail to be screened using newly installed, state-of-the-art body scanners. Additionally, security rounds have been increased and we have dramatically reduced the number of jail residents who are permitted to be out at any given time to help ensure the safety of both staff and residents. I remain committed to the promises I made when I began serving as Sheriff just over three months ago; we are working hard to implement the changes I was elected to make. I ask for our community's continued engagement and assistance as we lay the foundation to undo decades of systemic damage done to our criminal legal system. - Sheriff Susan Hutson

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SHERIFF SUSAN HUTSON RELEASES STATEMENT SUPPORTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Sheriff Susan Hutson announced that she will not accept any persons into custody at the Orleans Justice Center who are arrested for allegedly violating ACT 545, the 2006 "trigger law", for seeking or performing reproductive healthcare services.

The Sheriff's announcement tightens the circle of protection from arrest, prosecution, and incarceration for women and medical professionals who seek or provide reproductive healthcare services, including abortion-related healthcare treatments.

"Our community elected me to bring progressive change to our jail, not to bring us back to the days before Roe v. Wade. I stand with our District Attorney and City Council in saying we will not use the limited resources of our offices to criminalize a women's right to choose or a physician's duty of care."

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