Summary
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused major disruptions in New Orleans, impacting the city's jail system. Thousands of inmates went missing within the prison system due to the chaotic conditions, highlighting the need for reform in the public defender's office. This situation motivated some, like public defender Meghan Garvey, to push for changes in the justice system.
Key Facts
- Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, disrupting the city's jail system.
- Thousands of incarcerated people were displaced, making it hard to track their location and charges.
- New Orleans had 6,000 to 7,000 people in jail before the storm, with a high incarceration rate.
- The public defender's office was understaffed and struggled to manage its caseload after the storm.
- Meghan Garvey, inspired by the post-Katrina challenges, chose a career in public defense.
- The storm highlighted existing issues in the city's criminal justice system, such as part-time public defenders and lack of resources.
- Hurricane conditions forced inmates to endure days without food or electricity in the prison.
- Some inmates, like Ronald Marshall, later challenged their convictions; his sentence was vacated in 2021.
