Criminal Justice Archives - Page 2 of 32

“Which Side Are You On? Louisiana Democrats’ Struggle for Consistency in the Face of GOP Extremism”

June 17, 2025

In a legislative session dominated by Republican overreach—from attacks on bodily autonomy to the dismantling of diversity initiatives—Louisiana Democrats had an opportunity to offer a clear, principled counterweight. And in some cases, they did. But on too many issues that cut to the heart of progressive values—criminal justice reform, housing justice, and drug policy—Democratic lawmakers […]

Press Conference in Jena, LA. to Defend Immigrant and Human Rights As Mahmoud Khalil Is Set for Release

June 12, 2025

A national interfaith delegation of faith leaders, activists, and community organizers in the weeklong “Freedom Ride in Defense of Democratic Rights” will hold a press conference at LaSalle Detention Center on Friday June 13th 9:30AM as Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist unjustly detained by ICE, is set to be released under a federal judges […]

A Fentanyl Crisis Is Coming—And Louisiana’s Kratom Ban Will Trigger It

June 3, 2025

By criminalizing kratom, Louisiana lawmakers aren’t solving a problem. Instead, they’re planting the seeds of a new one. Assuming the governor does not veto, on August 1, Senate Bill 154 will go into effect, banning the sale and possession of kratom across the state. But this misguided crackdown doesn’t remove risk from the streets. It […]

Report: Louisiana Local Jails Fail to Meet Women’s Health Needs

May 27, 2025

A recent report by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that none of Louisiana’s local jails provide adequate care for incarcerated women, citing a lack of health screenings and failure to meet healthcare needs during and following pregnancy. The audit was conducted in accordance with Louisiana House CR 104 of the 2023 Regular Session, which directed […]

Who’s Really Behind the Kratom Ban in Louisiana? Unpacking Senator Jay Morris’s Ties to Big Pharma and the Battle Over Botanical Freedom

May 27, 2025

Editor’s note: This is our last chance to protect access. Speak out now: https://www.protectkratom.org/louisiana Then keep reading to understand who’s really behind the push to outlaw kratom—and why they’re rushing it through. Charlie Hoyle, a systems analyst in New Orleans, remembers exactly when he decided to stop drinking. “I made an effort to stop drinking […]

Dismantling Equity: What HB 685 Really Means for Louisiana’s Future

May 25, 2025

Louisiana is on the brink of rewriting how its public institutions deal with race, history, and inequality. House Bill 685, which represents an aggressive, sweeping ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in colleges and state agencies, has already passed the House and is headed for the Senate. Supporters claim it promotes fairness; but […]

Sheriff Susan Hutson Suspends Re-Election Campaign Following Jailbreak Fallout

May 20, 2025

In a striking development following the recent jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson announced Tuesday that she is suspending her re-election campaign to focus solely on restoring public trust and addressing the security crisis facing the jail. The announcement came just hours after Sheriff Hutson appeared before the New Orleans […]

Twelve Years of Oversight, One Jailbreak Too Many: How New Orleans Failed Its Consent Decree

May 20, 2025

In the early hours of May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in what may be the most consequential failure since the facility came under federal oversight more than a decade ago. Among them was Derrick Groves, convicted in October 2024 of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts […]

Manhunt Underway After 10 Inmates Escape From Orleans Parish Justice Center

May 16, 2025

Orleans Parish Inmate Escape 2025 is once again facing scrutiny after ten (initially reported and eleven) inmates, including individuals charged with violent crimes, escaped from the facility early Friday morning, May 16, 2025. The escape triggered a full lockdown and set off a massive citywide search, with authorities warning the public to remain vigilant as […]

Liberty for Me, But Not for Thee: Louisiana’s Kratom Ban Exposes GOP’s Big Government Hypocrisy

May 15, 2025

Editor’s note: Kratom is about to be banned if advocates don’t act now. It’s Big Easy Magazine’s position that a ban will cause much more harm than good. We encourage advocates to make their voices heard. Please email your story via the following site: https://www.protectkratom.org/louisiana Buried deep beneath the avalanche of legislative chaos at the […]

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Category: Criminal Justice