Louisiana's Juvenile Detention Crisis

Louisiana’s Office of Juvenile Justice, also known as the OJJ, oversees five facilities including one in Jefferson Parish in New Orleans, called Bridge City Center for Youth. And the Bridge City Center, which houses inmates as young as 13 years old to the age of 21, has had repeated reports of violence within the facility, and multiple escapes.

In July, six young people incarcerated at Bridge City, overpowered a guard and escaped. One of those who escaped was accused of shooting a person while trying to steal a car.

In response, LA Governor John Bel Edwards announced he’d carry out a plan to enhance security and address leadership issues at Bridge City. He also announced that he would temporarily relocate a portion of the 50 juveniles at Bridge City to LA State Penetierian- known as Angola. Governor Edwards said they would not have any direct contact with adult inmates at Angola, and would be housed in a separate facility.  

But advocates and families of those at Bridge City, say this move would be dangerous for the teens and young adults in juvenile detention, and filed a federal lawsuit to block this move. 

Last week a federal judge placed a temporary hold on the plan to move the juveniles to Angola. For more on this we spoke with Jacqueline DeRobertis, a staff reporter with The Advocate.