Justice Department: New Orleans sheriff in contempt over jail conditions

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is seeking a contempt order against New Orleans-area Sheriff Marlin Gusman for failing to comply with a federal order to improve conditions at the long-troubled local jail

Officials have also asked a federal judge to appoint an outside party to operate the detention facility.

In papers filed Monday in a Louisiana federal court, federal authorities asserted that Gusman remains "dangerously non-compliant'' with provisions of a 2013 agreement and that the violations threaten the safety and health of Orleans Parish Jail prisoners.

Federal authorities specifically cited the March suicide of prisoner Cleveland Tumblin, who hung himself after mental health officials recommended him for follow-up care that he never received.

During a site visit to the facility earlier this month, a monitor found that "cut-down tools'' used to help save suicide attempts by hanging were too dull to rescue Tumblin.

"The sheriff not only has failed or refused to comply with the consent judgment, he has proven to be incapable to taking action necessary to comply... Urgent and extraordinary action is required of this court to address the immediate risk of harm and death to the men, women and youth in the jail.''

Federal authorities said Gusman has been bound by terms of the 2013 agreement which mandated "systemic reforms at the jail to address widespread constitutional violations that place prisoners at risk of serious harm.''

Gusman said he "vigorously'' disagreed with the government's claims and vowed to defend his work.

"The (contempt) motion contains numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements,'' Gusman said late Monday in a written statement. "We we are making substantial strides towards consent decree compliance. We recognize there is more work to be done but will not allow this move...to undermine the accomplishments and sacrifices of the hard working deputies and staff at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.”