Office of the Sheriff

Paris/7 State of Louisiana

Marlin N. Gusman
Sheriff

 

March 26, 2020

Hon. Robin Pittman

Deputy Chief Judge of the Criminal District Court
2700 Tulane Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70119

Re: Orleans Parish Sheriff?s Of?ce Update on COVID-19

Dear Judge Pittman:

As you are aware, has continued to spread within the New Orleans metropolitan area.
Our staff has taken aggressive measures to limit introduction and community Spread within our
facilities. OJC medical staff is conducting temperature checks of the inmate population daily
and we continue to frequently sanitize living areas. We currently have 7 inmates medically
isolated as a result of their presentation of one or more of We have tested
and are awaiting test results on each of those individuals. Some of our staff members have tested
positive, and others are quarantined at home and awaiting test results.

We have been fortunate thus far and have had a lower presumed infection rate among our
inmates than other comparative facilities. However, for this to continue, we need your
assistance. Further reduction of our inmate population would also allow us to have open 
units to allow rotation of our populations, sanitization of empty units, and further separation of
individuals in our custody.

I request that the Judges of the Criminal District Court give consideration to releases, even on a
temporary basis, of any non-violent individuals without a prior criminal history. I also ask that
you consider suspending the ordered execution of outstanding alias capiases for non-violent
individuals for 30 days to minimize any unnecessary introduction of COVID-19 into the facility
by those who may ultimately be served released at ?rst appearance.

I will assist the Court with any service or notice which needs to be provided with any
individual(s) released from custody, or with any other tasks necessary to facilitate this process. I
appreciate any support which you can provide at this unprecedented time and look forward to
discussing this with you and the other Judges.

 

 

2800 Perdido Street, New Orleans. LA 70119 - 

Sincerely,

Marlin N. Gusman
Sheriff

cc: Hon. Leon A. Cannizzaro, District Attorney
Derwyn Bunton, Of?ce of Public Defenders
Hon. Karen K. Herman, Chief Judge, Section I
Hon. Laurie A. White, Section A
Hon. Tracey lemings-Davillier, Section 
Hon. Benedict J. Willard, Section 
Hon. Paul A. Bonin, Section 
Hon. Keva M. Landrum, Section 
Hon. Robin D. Pittman, Section 
Hon. Jay Daniels, Section 
Hon. Camille Buras, Section 
Hon. Darryl A. Derbigny, Section 
Hon. Hunter Harris, Section 
Hon. Franz L. Zibilich, Section 
Hon. Harry E. Cantrell, Jr., Magistrate

MNG/bja