findings of the Civil Rights Division's investigation of conditions of confinement at the Orleans Parish Prison ("OPP"). On February 12, 2008, we . notified you of our intent to conduct an investigation of conditions at OPP pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1997. As we noted, CRIPA gives the Department of Justice authority to seek a remedy for a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the constitutional rights of inmates in adult detention and correctional facilities. On June 23-27,2008, August 18-20,2008, and November 17-20,2008, we conducted on-site inspections at OPP with expert consultants in corrections, use of force, custodial medical and mental health care, and sanitation. 1 We interviewed administrative staff, security staff, medical and mental health staff, facilities management staff, training staff, and inmates. Before, during, and after our visits, we reviewed an extensive number of documents, including policies and procedures, incident reports, use of force reports, investigative reports, inmate grievances, disciplinary reports, unit logs, orientation materials, medical records, and staff training materials. In keeping with our pledge of transparency and to provide technical assistance where appropriate, we conveyed our preliminary impressions to OPPofficials and legal counsel for the Sheriff s Office at the close of each of our site visits. 1 Our corrections expert was the only expert who accompanied us on the August on-site visit, and our medical health care expert was the only expert who accompanied us on the November on-site visit. - 2 - We remain sensitive to the fact that OPP is still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina and commend the Sheriff and his staff for their extraordinary efforts to structurally rebuild the facilities. We also note the tremendous strides and improvements that the Sheriff and his staff have made in light of the scope and depth of destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. We commend the OPP staff for their helpful and professional conduct throughout the course of the investigation. We received complete cooperation with our investigation and appreciate the receptiveness to our consultants' on-site recommendations. Accordingly, we have every reason to believe that the Sheriff, his office, and the City are committed to remedying all known deficiencies at OPP. We hope to be able to work cooperatively to such a resolution. Prior to our investigation, many media reports, allegations, and even rumors Circulated regarding conditions at the Jail following the Hurricane. Our review of documents, investigative files, and interviews 9f staff and inmates has been to ascertain if the Constitution has been violated in a systemic manner. Again, commendably, we recognize the Sheriffs efforts in safely and efficiently evacuating the inmates and his efforts to secure the necessary funding to rebuild. Consistent with the statutory requirements of CRIP A, we now write to advise you of the findings of our investigation, the facts supporting them, and the minimum remedial steps that are necessary to address the defiCienCies we have identified. 42 § U.S.C. 1997b. As described more fully below, we conclude that certain conditions at OPP violate the constitutional rights of inmates. In particular, we find that inmates confined at OPP are not adequately protected from harm, including physical harm from excessive use of force by staff and inmate-on-inmate violence. In addition, we find that inmates do not receive adequate mental health care, including proper suicide prevention. While OPP meets constitutionally required standards of medical care in many areas; however, we found specific defiCiencies in medication management. OPP inmates also face serious risks posed by inadequate environmental and sanitation conditions. I. BACKGROUND Located in downtown New Orleans, OPP is one of the larg
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