Prisoners in New Orleans jail take drugs, drink beer, and carry around loaded guns

[pwaldo]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ty-centre.html

Prisoners have been filmed drinking beer, using drugs and even brandishing a loaded handgun in shocking video footage taken at a New Orleans jail.

The film from Orleans Parish Prison was revealed on the second day of a federal hearing on plans to refurbish and improve the jail.

One expert told the court that the video showed the most dysfunctional prison regime he had seen.

Manny Romero, a prison consultant said the nature of the contraband on show suggests prison staff may have brought it in for inmates, WDSU reports.

The film was shown to the court as part of a hearing to determine whether a federal consent decree is warranted to reform the jail, according to the New York Times. One of the videos even seems to show prisoners relaxing in the city's Bourbon Street at night.

The footage also showed prisoners injecting drugs with one even holding a loaded handgun - raising questions over how the contraband got into the jail.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu called the videos 'outrageous' and called on federal officials to put the jail into receivership, the New York Times reports.

A hearing to discuss financial issues is due to be held in May even if the consent decree is approved.

The United States Department of Justice found the jail to be riven with violence and even sexual assaults last year.

[Wickabee]

A serious issue like this deserves a headline that doesn't sound like an old man shouting 'bout the gubmint.

[mrveggieman]

What's the big deal? It's just a typical day in the NO.

[pwaldo]

A serious issue like this deserves a headline that doesn't sound like an old man shouting 'bout the gubmint.

Any suggestions for a thread title then?

[Wickabee]

Any suggestions for a thread title then?

Anything that doesn't sound like an old man shouting.