NCJ Number
58897
Date Published
1975
Length
203 pages
Annotation
THIS PUBLISHED REPORT SHOWS EFFORTS BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER REQUIRING CORRECTIONS OF CONDITIONS AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY.
Abstract
THIS DOCUMENT RESPONDS TO THE ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA IN THE CASE OF HAYES WILLIAMS, ET AL. VERSUS JOHN J. MCKEITHEN (1975) REQUIRING THE DEFENDANTS TO REPORT ON THEIR EFFORTS TO CORRECT APPROXIMATELY 56 CONDITIONS EXISTING AT THE LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY. THE MOST ACUTE PROBLEM FACED DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COURT ORDER WAS A LACK OF QUALIFIED, MANAGEMENT-LEVEL PERSONNEL. EACH MANAGEMENT-LEVEL PERSONNEL WORKS FULL TIME HANDLING DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF A DEPARTMENT WHICH INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 4,400 ADULT OFFENDERS, 835 JUVENILES, 13,000 PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES, 2,000 EMPLOYEES, 8 MAJOR INSTITUTIONS, AND NUMEROUS SATELLITE FACILITIES. EACH SECTION OF THE COURT ORDER IS DISCUSSED WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF FULL COMPLIANCE, PARTIAL COMPLIANCE, OR A REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION. AREAS COVERED INCLUDE INCREASED PROTECTION OF INMATES; UPGRADING OF MEDICAL CARE FOR INMATES; MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND SAFETY OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES; FOOD AND SANITATION; ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND SEGREGATION; RELIGIOUS FREEDOM; CENSORSHIP OF MAIL; CONDITIONS OF PUNITIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONFINEMENT AND PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS; IMPROVEMENT IN SECURITY AND PROTECTION; DECENTRALIZATION OF LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY; ELIMINATION OF FIRE AND ELECTRICAL HAZARDS; REDUCTION OF INMATE POPULATION; AND, ELIMINATION OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES AND CONDITIONS. DIAGRAMS ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)