August 15, 2022 - The demands recently made by the inhabitants of the Orleans Justice Center cement that we as leaders and as a community have much work to do before we can call our criminal legal system fair, just, and equitable. Much more needs to be done to make OJC constitutional, safe, and humane for the people who are detained there and held in the Sheriff's custody. Access to court, legal counsel, exercise, reading materials, and hygiene resources are the basic rights of all people who are incarcerated.
Our clients who are unable to afford their freedom, must have their safety acknowledged and prioritized, and they should be treated with basic human dignity while they remain in the care of the Sheriff. We urge the Sheriff to address their concerns and we look forward to working together to ensure the needs of all New Orleanians held at OJC are met in a safe, fair, and transparent manner.
