Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office

Today we celebrate our beloved four-legged deputy, Francis, as she retires after 17 years of incredible service! Francis has touched so many lives, from our deputies to the children in our community learning to ride. Sgt. Bowser once said, “Francis is the Cadillac of horses,” and we couldn’t agree more. Now, it’s time for her to hang up the reins and enjoy her well-deserved retirement. During a retirement ceremony Wednesday, City Councilmember Helena Moreno presented Sheriff Hutson with a proclamation acknowledging Francis' retirement and many years of service. Thank you, Francis, for your dedication, loyalty, and everything you’ve done for our community. Enjoy your next chapter!

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the Re-Entry & Reunification Grant Awards. The application deadline is Thursday September 26, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. To APPLY NOW visit: https://www.opso.gov, click on "Community" in the main menu and select Grant Opportunities. Key Objectives of the Program: 📍Empowering Local Organizations: Providing resources and financial support to grassroots organizations working directly with justice-impacted families and communities. 📍Supporting Family Reunification: Funding initiatives that help reunite families separated by incarceration or other circumstances. 📍Promoting Community Engagement: Encouraging community-driven projects that enhance social cohesion and collective well-being. Email completed applications to grants@opso.us

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office stands fully prepared to protect the safety of both our city and the residents in our custody, thanks to our dedicated and hardworking staff. A comprehensive emergency plan is in place, and we reassure the public that every necessary precaution is being taken.

Statement from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Regarding Preparations for Tropical Storm Francine: As we monitor Tropical Storm Francine, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) is fully prepared to ensure the safety of our city, our staff, and those in our custody. Our comprehensive emergency plan is in place, and we want to reassure the public that every precaution is being taken.

“I thought I was a nobody because of how I grew up and what I was going through, but this is a big accomplishment." The Trinity City Artivist Club, a groundbreaking program aimed at empowering young residents of the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) through creative expression and social activism, celebrated its first graduation event last Saturday. This inaugural graduation marked the completion of a transformative 12-week cycle focused on artivism — the creation of art with a purpose of affecting social change. The event honored the first program graduate, DeWayne Davis, who, through his dedication, set an inspiring precedent for future participants. “I learned about the seven elements of art and how to make art using technology. I was most interested in learning more about homelessness in New Orleans,” Davis said. “I chose this topic because there are a lot of people who are in need, and I don’t think they are getting the help they need now. The program guides participants through personal and artistic growth even while in custody. It launched as part of Sheriff Hutson’s vision for positive youth development and family reunification. Through his participation, DeWayne has enhanced problem-solving skills, developed a sense of pride in his creations, and learned how to advocate for himself as an "artivist."

Jails in cities like New Orleans are among the largest mental health care providers in the nation. OPSO aims to serve the people being held there. The men who live on the model pod at the Orleans Justice Center can set their own schedules and commune freely, play basketball, cut each other's hair, watch movies and nightly news programs and share books. In exchange, they have to commit to a zero tolerance policy for harassment and violence, make their beds, manage laundry and attend frequent group discussions about conflict resolution, stress and trauma. Some of the members are also receiving individualized mental health treatment. Learn more in this story by NBC correspondent Antonia Hylton. https://lnkd.in/g8PkyD6a

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson announces the award of two additional Re-Entry & Reunification Grant Awards. This initiative is designed to empower local organizations by providing financial support to programs that focus on re-entry services and family reunification efforts. In 2023, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) received a grant through the efforts of @CongressmanTroyCarter to support reentry programs and criminal justice reforms at OPSO. From that, OPSO is awarding a total of $2-million in sub-grants to organizations that will provide necessary programs for those in custody and those being released back into the community. These organizations will implement vocational training, education courses, therapeutic support and provide work opportunities to support the restoration of justice-impacted people and returning citizens. Kevin Green, CEO of Crescent Addiction and Recovery Center, accepted a $100,000 award to provide services to Orleans Justice Center residents seeking treatment for addiction and a path to recovery. This funding will support providing individualized treatment plans, goal setting for direction, group sessions with professional mental health providers, engagement activities and offering incentives for successful completion of milestones. Mission Rebirth Executive Director Kay Ussin accepted a $75,000 award to support their work offering a comprehensive range of supportive services tailored to meet the diverse needs of clients during and after incarceration. Upon release, clients will have assistance with receiving SNAP benefits, Medicaid, Social Security benefits, housing solutions, workforce development and job placement. Mission Rebirth will also aid in helping clients secure necessary IDs and birth certificates for housing and employment, access to free government phones to aid in job searches and a clothing closet to prepare for job interviews.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson spoke before the New Orleans City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee to provide a quarterly update on the state of operations at the Orleans Justice Center, progress toward compliance with the Consent Decree, the current jail population, the impact of recently passed legislation, programs to help those in custody with their post-incarceration transition. “I am really proud of the men and women of this department for doing more with less,” Hutson told the Council.

Sheriff Susan Hutson welcomed John Legend, a singer, songwriter and EGOT winner, to the Orleans Justice Center this month to visit with staff and incarcerated residents in the jail. Legend leads the nonprofit FreeAmerica which is a social-impact organization leading a campaign to end mass incarceration through storytelling, education and policy reform. John was able to hear from the sheriff about her mission to reunify families impacted by incarceration by providing access to resources and programs that help those in custody return to the community better citizens. He also spent time speaking with residents to learn about their individual needs and the impact of incarceration on them and their families. We thank to John Legend and his FreeAmerica team for taking interest in the important work and initiatives happening at OPSO. Special thank you to Loyola University New Orleans professor Andrea Armstrong for coordinating the visit and moving this important work forward! Also, thank you to Senator Royce Duplesis for joining the tour to get more insights on the historic reform efforts being made by Sheriff Hutson.

🚔 Ready to make a difference in your community? Join the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and start your law enforcement career today! We're looking for dedicated, motivated and talented individuals who are passionate about serving and protecting our community. Apply now and be part of a team committed to making a positive impact. #JoinToday #OrleansParishSheriff #LawEnforcementCareers #ServeAndProtect