Content Tagged As department_of_corrections
Tagged News
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Angola employees given lucrative contract cutting grass at prison; legal expert calls it corruption at its finest Play Video
February 23, 2023 4:43 PM
ANGOLA - State ethics laws are on the books to prevent the good ol' boy network in Louisiana, but it appears a clever workaround was found for two high-ranking employees at Angola earning $1,200 per-cut to cut a small section of grass at the prison. Ken Pastorick, a spokesman... more » -
Women's correctional center has more COVID-19 cases than any other Louisiana state prison
April 23, 2020 1:11 PM
ST. GABRIEL - According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel has a total of 54 coronavirus cases among its inmates and at least 20 members of its staff are also infected. This facility has more cases than any other prison... more » -
Two DOC employees test positive for coronavirus
March 26, 2020 6:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - Two Louisiana Department of Corrections employees have tested positive for Coronavirus. They are the first confirmed cases in the DOC. They did not work at the same prisons. In a statement, the LDOC reports both employees have limited contact with inmates and other staff. They... more » -
Defense attorney: DOC is demonstrating an epidemic of incompetence Play Video
January 23, 2019 5:06 PM
BATON ROUGE- It happened again. The Louisiana Department of Corrections set an inmate free who still had time left to serve after a mistake the agency made calculating the offender's time. The latest problem involves inmate Harold Ozenne. Ozenne was released on January 13, 2019 and was out for four... more » -
Another mistake highlights state's complex process calculating prison time for offenders Play Video
December 26, 2018 5:00 PM
BATON ROUGE- Another mistake by the Department of Corrections nearly set a woman who was sentenced as a habitual offender free. It left her family devastated and those familiar with the process demanding reforms. Rosalind Richard was so close to freedom she could practically taste it. Documents obtained by the... more » -
Under cloud of controversy, prisons chief stands by 'deal' made in harassment case Play Video
November 30, 2017 6:41 PM
BATON ROUGE – Although the governor's ordered a policy review, prison officials stand behind an audio recording obtained by and broadcast on WBRZ newscasts recently where high-ranking bosses were heard trying to make a deal with an employee accused of sexual harassment. "[We're] basically giving you the opportunity that... more » -
After WBRZ report, governor's office to review policies dealing with sexual harassment claims Play Video
November 29, 2017 5:07 PM
BATON ROUGE – High-ranking state prison officials offered to make a sexual harassment complaint “go away” if the employee alleged to have committed wrongdoing resigned, WBRZ learned through audio recordings of the discussion released to the station's Investigative Unit. Among the promises made during a more than ten-minute conversation... more » -
Audit finds Louisiana prisons can't track inmates accurately
November 13, 2017 9:36 AM
BATON ROUGE- According to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the Louisiana Department of Corrections is not properly tracking inmate locations and release dates. WWL-TV reports that part of the issues is that the department of corrections uses "antiquated" data management software. The report by the Louisiana... more » -
Scathing audit highlights more problems at the Department of Corrections Play Video
October 30, 2017 6:33 PM
BATON ROUGE- More problems emerged Monday as the State Legislative Auditor released a scathing audit involving the Department of Corrections. For months, the WBRZ Investigative Unit has been reporting on issues at the Department including: a work release inmate who escaped and killed a woman, a band made up of... more » -
Investigative Unit: Man charged in teen's shooting death supposed to be serving life at Angola Play Video
October 24, 2017 11:24 AM
ZACHARY – The homeowner implicated in the shooting death of a teenager this weekend had recently been released from Angola where he was supposed to be serving a life sentence. Multiple sources confirmed to the WBRZ Investigative Unit and Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto that Terry Flanagan, 58, was serving... more » -
1,000+ convicts set to walk free on November 1 Play Video
October 18, 2017 5:26 PM
BATON ROUGE- Upwards of 1500 prisoners are set to walk free on November 1, 2017 as part of a prison reform package that sailed through the legislature this year. The point of the Justice Reinvestment Act was to decrease the number of people incarcerated by reducing non-violent offenders. That in... more » -
WBRZ investigates prisoners walking free, work release businesses frustrated
August 29, 2017 6:43 PM
BATON ROUGE- In a series of exclusive reports, people with close knowledge of the state's work release program have questioned the state's management of the system that allows prisoners access to life outside the prison walls. WBRZ began investigating complaints of work release inmate escapes months ago and published... more » -
Convicted killer and rapist demands release, claims his rights were violated Play Video
August 23, 2017 5:29 PM
BATON ROUGE- A convicted killer and rapist is suing the State Department of corrections Secretary James LeBlanc and Chairwoman of the Louisiana Board of Pardons, Sheryl Ranatza claiming his rights were violated when his parole was rescinded earlier this year. Galbraith raped Karen Hill, tied her to a tree and... more » -
After WBRZ report, killer's parole rescinded Play Video
April 20, 2017 5:11 PM
UPDATE: The Governor's Office has confirmed that the case will be reheard and the parole will be rescinded based on a technicality that notification went to the wrong state. Click HERE to read more. Read the original story below: ST. GABRIEL- A convicted rapist and murderer who detectives... more » -
WBR jail leads in work release inmate escapes with 22 in 2 years
April 18, 2016 1:44 PM
BATON ROUGE - A new audit has found that the state's work release program for prisoners has had more than 250 escapes in the past two years alone. The legislative auditor found that the program does have its benefits, including saving money on inmate housing and decreasing the number... more » -
Baton Rouge in 1939: Time capsule opened 77 years later Play Video
April 5, 2016 12:41 AM
BATON ROUGE - A time capsule sealed in 1939 was opened Monday, 77 years after it was buried at the old Louisiana School for the Deaf. That building eventually became the Baton Rouge Police headquarters and is now being renovated by the Department of Corrections. February 22, 1939 was the... more » -
Two WBRSO deputies suspended after work release investigation Play Video
December 22, 2015 12:10 PM
PORT ALLEN - Two West Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputies were suspended without pay Tuesday after an internal investigation showed they did not follow protocol when three work release inmates escaped recently. The names of the deputies were not released. One deputy was suspended for one day, the other... more » -
Joint state investigation launched into Angola allegations Play Video
December 18, 2015 12:58 PM
BATON ROUGE - Multiple state authorities said Friday they were launching a joint investigation into allegations of wrongdoing at Angola state penitentiary. Representatives with Louisiana State Police, the state Inspector General's Office and the Department of Corrections said they were looking further into "rumors" about Angola operations, but would... more » -
WBR work release inmate accused of crime while in custody Play Video
December 16, 2015 3:36 PM
BATON ROUGE - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Department of Corrections inmate, accused of committing an armed robbery and carjacking. Emanuel Jones was a work release inmate housed at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center. The incident happened in November, according to the arrest... more » -
$2,000 total reward offered for info on killer accidentally released from jail Play Video
September 30, 2015 4:02 PM
BATON ROUGE - Law enforcement agencies offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an inmate who was mistakenly released over the weekend. U.S. Marshals joined in the search for 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson as it continued through Wednesday and into Thursday morning with the escaped man... more »