BATON ROUGE, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge Lance Africk approved an agreement made between Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, the U.S. Justice Department, the City of New Orleans, and inmates who sued to improve jail conditions regarding authority over the parish prison:

“I applaud Judge Affrick for exercising judicial restraint in recognizing that Sheriff Gusman is a duly elected official and that they both are committed to improving jail conditions in the most expeditious manner. Today’s compromise delegates certain operational functions to an independent compliance director, which will help all parties move toward the ultimate goal of relieving the jail from federal oversight. Today’s compromise also respects and balances the need for a timely resolution while maintaining local control. The Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution leaves certain functions to states, which the United States Supreme Court has interpreted to include police power. Government that governs closest governs best. I not only support reasonable, collaborative attempts to solve the problems at the jail; but I also pledge to do my part to help in every way possible.”

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