This week on Behind The Lens, after the levees broke and inundated New Orleans, tens of millions of individuals noticed the pictures of prisoners from the Orleans Parish Jail on the Broad Avenue Overpass awaiting rescue after the flooding. Some prisoners who have been within the jail in the course of the flooding advised harrowing tales of their cells filling with water, having been deserted by the guards in some conditions, and solely getting out after a number of deputies returned days later together with different volunteer rescuers.

Within the wake of the flooding, hundreds of prisoners then confronted a hellish panorama of confusion, as legal professionals battled with the Division of Corrections to type out every particular person’s case. The catastrophe underscored the necessity for reforms, which started to take form within the years after the storm, nonetheless, echoes of the pre-Katrina issues have begun to crop up once more.

Our company this week are Lens prison justice reporter Bernard Smith and editor Katy Reckdahl.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Extra music Afternoons and Beachhead by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

You too can take heed to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and different providers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Obtain

Subscribe:

Associated