Public outrage over the brazen escape of 10 men from the Orleans Parish jail is a clear call for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the City of New Orleans to squarely face problems plaguing the jail.
While seven escapees remain at large as of midday May 19, BGR strongly urges public officials to immediately begin mapping out a joint strategy for a safe, secure and high-performing jail.
Their cooperation is critical because of their shared responsibility for the jail, which BGR examined in a 2022 report called Keys to the Jail. Historical disagreements between the Sheriff and the City on how to properly run and fund the jail are emerging again. Regardless, if the conversation ends with another round of finger-pointing, it is a disservice to the public.
Here’s a summary of the recommendations to ensure the jail’s operating and capital needs are carefully understood and addressed over time.
The City and Sheriff should agree to:
- Develop a multi-year strategic plan for the New Orleans jail.
- Establish a standard process and documentation for developing and approving the jail’s annual operating and capital budgets.
- Develop a compensation strategy for jail deputies and other employees.
And to improve transparency and accountability for the City’s adequate funding of the jail and the Sheriff’s efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars, the City and Sheriff should agree to:
- Provide more meaningful data and accountability from the Sheriff’s Office at the joint quarterly public meetings before held by the City Council.
- Develop a standard process for the City administration to review the Sheriff’s annual budget proposal.