Sheriff Susan Hutson’s start as sheriff is rocky. Prisoner deaths, a staffing shortage, closing criminal court, numerous stabbings, and a three-day prisoner rebellion define the first 100 days. So far, the Sheriff is laying all the blame on the previous administration. Hutson soundly defeated the legendary former Sheriff Marlin Gusman. But Hutson ran a reform campaign promising improved conditions and transparency. To say her start is rocky is a dramatic understatement. People died.
The Hutson jail seems chaotic and troubled. Two deaths occurred within days. Philip Soublet Jr died after suffering blunt force trauma. Not long after Soublet’s death, Chad Neyland died after he jumped from a balcony. Hutson campaigned vigorously and vociferously on providing a safe environment for all prisoners. These two deaths are shocking and saddening. Hutson blamed staffing shortages. But especially upsetting is that the deputy assigned to Soublet’s pod was just not in place during the fight that led to his death. Philip Soublet Jr. should be alive today.
In response to those deaths Hutson pulled deputies from their criminal court posts. Sheriff’s deputies provide security for all sections of court and the courthouse building. Her decision forced court to close and delayed trials and proceedings. Judges reacted angrily. Defendants got antsy. The Sheriff again blamed the lack of staff left by her predecessor.
Related: Sheriff Gusman Might be in Trouble
In early August at least four stabbings occurred in the jail. Three of the stabbed men went to the hospital with serious wounds. The fourth was treated at the jail. Hutson says that the violence we see in our community is showing up in the jail. And if jail is where we send our troublemakers that is to be expected. Also expected is jail is not the place where street violence escalates. Our jail must be humane. But we are dealing with people who have a history of settling disputes with violence. Our jail must be prepared to handle this. Care is a different word in this context.
Another significant incident was a full-fledged three-day rebellion by inmates. They took over their pod and had a list of demands. The demands are not unreasonable:
- A basketball
- New washer and dryer
- More books
- Getting to court n time
- A new TV
- And a full day of stretch and recreation time
Sheriff Hutson explained before the City Council criminal justice committee that the washer and dryer left by the previous administration are residential grade and not able to handle the volume of the jail setting. She also said she never got a request for a basketball. But the most important thing was the 14 and a half hours of free time was impossible because of staffing shortages.
Sheriff Hutson’s Start as Sheriff is Rocky
Most shocking is the fact that besides staffing shortages, Sheriff Hutson blames the building. This is significant because former Sheriff Gusman promised the new building would end all the violence inside the jail. But Hutson pointed out how door handles were removed, and deodorant cans used to block doors. She says the new building is inadequately built and is unsafe for deputies.
Two things about that. Is the new $375 million state of the art facility unsafe and poorly built? And is saying that really a good idea when you are trying to recruit more deputies to come and work in the building?
But as the saying goes, be careful what you ask for. Susan Hutson signed up for this. We need her to do a great job. There is much work to be done. And the time to stop blaming the previous administration is just around the corner.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Susan Hudson don’t know how to run a jail! Gusman did not connect to the people. So we voted him out. But her inexperience is showing.
These attacks on black women are shameful! Stop it Jeff Thomas. We expect you to be better than that! Save our black women leaders!!!
Justice for Philip Soublet Jr!