Gusman showcases new prison

By Michael Patrick Welch
Contributing Writer

On a hell-hot August Thursday, New Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman invited the press and others to tour the skeleton of his new jail. The unfinished jail – which boasts room for more than 1,200 possible inmates – has merely been “topped off,” meaning it’s reached its maximum height.

Ground was broken on the project in February 2011, and Gusman hopes to see it completed by February 2014. The $145 million facility, funded by FEMA to replace Katrina-damaged jails, will consolidate 11 of the city’s separate criminal justice buildings into one, all-inclusive building. “Less handoffs [between facilities] creates less opportunity for problems,” said Gusman while leading a tour of one “pod” of 30 cells, a common area, and a small basketball court.

Proceeding down into the tomblike cement structure, Gusman spoke of its intake and processing technologies, its courtroom, video visitation center, electronic kiosks where inmates can work on their court cases, and metal detectors that will scan prisoners and employees alike. New generators will help thwart power issues that have in the past made hurricane evacuations difficult.

Two tiers of police security built around very particular lines of sight allow high visibility of the cells – though you can’t see into the cells unless you walk right up to each door and peer in the small window. Gusman said that deputies and guards will be electronically monitored to confirm they are making those rounds at 15 to 30 minute intervals, plus up to two unannounced cell inspections per 12-hour shift.

Prior to the tour, Chaplain Ed Hulbert led the crowd in a prayer, blessing what he referred to only as “this great building.” Senior Project manager Ken Ball made a proud speech in which he reminded everyone that projects such as the new jail, “helps keep the economy rolling.” The crowd then turned to pledge allegiance to the giant American flag hanging in front of the skeletal building, a bleak reminder that Louisiana leads the nation in incarceration rates.

But Gusman says his new jail building incorporates plenty of room for inmate training and education programs. The new facility will, “offer real opportunities and training so [prisoners] don’t have to keep coming back to a life behind walls,” said Gusman. The jail’s original plans have also been augmented to also include medical and mental-health facilities.

A $55 (FEMA) million Phase III that would connect the jail to a multi-million dollar kitchen, is currently in dispute. Once the new building is complete, Gusman will be required to have demolished all but one other small New Orleans jail structure.

This article originally published in the August 05, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.