The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the water issues inside of the Orleans Justice Center have lingered into the week, saying it’s led to flooding in different parts of the jail.Sheriff Susan Hutson said OPSO is currently working to bring in an external water supply to temporarily accommodate the plumbing failures inside the facility.She sent pictures of the conditions, saying the plumbing issues from over the weekend have continued into the week, causing water to accumulate in parts of the facility. We told you on Tuesday about inmates saying they could not flush the toilets, and there being a bad smell inside the pods. Hutson said this revealed a deeper infrastructure crisis within the 10-year-old jail. Rooted in deferred maintenance, overcrowding and lack of investment by the city. Hutson said the jail’s failing plumbing and drainage systems could significantly hinder evacuation and overall operations if a hurricane threatens the area. View full statement here: “The Orleans Justice Center (OJC) continues to experience significant flooding due to ongoing and severe plumbing failures. Despite emergency repairs over the weekend, the plumbing challenges still remain, and water is continuing to accumulate in parts of the facility. OPSO is working to bring in an external water supply to temporarily accommodate the plumbing issue.”Sheriff Hutson and the OPSO team are working closely with emergency management officials to ensure all resources are in place to respond effectively to the evolving situation.’These recurring plumbing issues highlight a much deeper infrastructure crisis at OJC, rooted in years of deferred maintenance, chronic overcrowding, and a lack of meaningful investment,’ said Sheriff Susan Hutson. ‘This is not just a facilities problem. It’s a public safety issue, a staffing issue, and most of all, a human dignity issue. We are responsible for providing safe, stable, and humane conditions for everyone in our custody and working inside that building.'”In addition to structural deficiencies, misuse of the plumbing system, such as flushing inappropriate items down toilets has exacerbated flooding conditions. This further complicates response efforts and underscores the fragility of the facility’s aging infrastructure.”The Sheriff’s Office has repeatedly communicated these issues to city officials. Unfortunately, we are now in a position to react to a crisis that was both foreseeable and preventable. This situation underscores the critical need for immediate and sustained infrastructure investment to prevent further breakdowns and safeguard the lives of all who depend on this facility.”The urgency is further amplified by the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects will be above average, with 13 to 19 named storms and up to 5 major hurricanes. Experts cite warm ocean temperatures, neutral El Niño conditions, and a highly active African monsoon season as key risk factors for the Gulf Coast.”Given this forecast, the plumbing emergencies at OJC are not just operational challenges. They represent a critical public safety and emergency preparedness risk. If a major storm strikes New Orleans in the coming months, the jail’s current condition could severely impair evacuation efforts, continuity of operations, and broader public safety coordination.”Sheriff Hutson continues to call for targeted, long-term investment to replace and upgrade essential systems like plumbing and drainage and to modernize the jail to meet basic standards of safety and resilience.”Further updates will be provided as conditions develop.”WDSU caught up with Councilman Oliver Thomas who is also the chair of the Criminal Justice Committee on the situation inside. Councilman Oliver Thomas said, “It’s just unfortunate. Not to be too facetious but water seems to be leaking out. And inmates are leaking out. We need to plug all the holes.”OPSO said the jail’s deteriorating systems must be urgently addressed to protect the people housed inside and the staff who work there.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the water issues inside of the Orleans Justice Center have lingered into the week, saying it’s led to flooding in different parts of the jail.
Sheriff Susan Hutson said OPSO is currently working to bring in an external water supply to temporarily accommodate the plumbing failures inside the facility.
She sent pictures of the conditions, saying the plumbing issues from over the weekend have continued into the week, causing water to accumulate in parts of the facility. We told you on Tuesday about inmates saying they could not flush the toilets, and there being a bad smell inside the pods.
Hutson said this revealed a deeper infrastructure crisis within the 10-year-old jail. Rooted in deferred maintenance, overcrowding and lack of investment by the city.
Hutson said the jail’s failing plumbing and drainage systems could significantly hinder evacuation and overall operations if a hurricane threatens the area.
View full statement here:
“The Orleans Justice Center (OJC) continues to experience significant flooding due to ongoing and severe plumbing failures. Despite emergency repairs over the weekend, the plumbing challenges still remain, and water is continuing to accumulate in parts of the facility. OPSO is working to bring in an external water supply to temporarily accommodate the plumbing issue.
“Sheriff Hutson and the OPSO team are working closely with emergency management officials to ensure all resources are in place to respond effectively to the evolving situation.
‘These recurring plumbing issues highlight a much deeper infrastructure crisis at OJC, rooted in years of deferred maintenance, chronic overcrowding, and a lack of meaningful investment,’ said Sheriff Susan Hutson. ‘This is not just a facilities problem. It’s a public safety issue, a staffing issue, and most of all, a human dignity issue. We are responsible for providing safe, stable, and humane conditions for everyone in our custody and working inside that building.’
“In addition to structural deficiencies, misuse of the plumbing system, such as flushing inappropriate items down toilets has exacerbated flooding conditions. This further complicates response efforts and underscores the fragility of the facility’s aging infrastructure.
“The Sheriff’s Office has repeatedly communicated these issues to city officials. Unfortunately, we are now in a position to react to a crisis that was both foreseeable and preventable. This situation underscores the critical need for immediate and sustained infrastructure investment to prevent further breakdowns and safeguard the lives of all who depend on this facility.
“The urgency is further amplified by the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects will be above average, with 13 to 19 named storms and up to 5 major hurricanes. Experts cite warm ocean temperatures, neutral El Niño conditions, and a highly active African monsoon season as key risk factors for the Gulf Coast.
“Given this forecast, the plumbing emergencies at OJC are not just operational challenges. They represent a critical public safety and emergency preparedness risk. If a major storm strikes New Orleans in the coming months, the jail’s current condition could severely impair evacuation efforts, continuity of operations, and broader public safety coordination.
“Sheriff Hutson continues to call for targeted, long-term investment to replace and upgrade essential systems like plumbing and drainage and to modernize the jail to meet basic standards of safety and resilience.
“Further updates will be provided as conditions develop.”
WDSU caught up with Councilman Oliver Thomas who is also the chair of the Criminal Justice Committee on the situation inside.
Councilman Oliver Thomas said, “It’s just unfortunate. Not to be too facetious but water seems to be leaking out. And inmates are leaking out. We need to plug all the holes.”
OPSO said the jail’s deteriorating systems must be urgently addressed to protect the people housed inside and the staff who work there.
