Jail 'disgusting'

BY STEVE WILSON
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:13 PM CDT

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal has one word to describe the present condition of the Iberia Parish Jail — “disgusting.”

In what Ackal described as an “expose,” the recently inaugurated sheriff gave a media tour Tuesday of the Iberia Parish Jail, with New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry and members of the City Council and Iberia Parish Council taking part.

“I want the public to see what I’ve inherited,” Ackal said. “There was $860,000 that was supposed to go towards the jail. Where did it all go?”

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

The tour first visited the facility control room, which is in need of a new electronic control board. Ackal then showed visitors the areas where prisoners live, including E-Pod, regarded as the most dangerous section. It has rusty doors, damaged windows with stress cracks in the glass, graffiti, flies and other damage. Improvements are also needed in the laundry room as well as the plumbing and sewage systems.

“It’s got to be clean because we house people here,” Ackal said. “This place has not been maintained, and I’m damned aggravated about it. These conditions represent a security risk.”

Ackal also showed visitors exterior security cameras that do not work, interior ones that cannot record and an exterior door to the jail’s recreation yard with a large rusted opening at the bottom.

“That door is what keeps the prisoners in,” Ackal said. “We’ve had one prisoner in here for four years without trial, and another prisoner for two years. This is unfair to taxpayers.”

Ackal said that the jail, which was first opened in the early 1990s, has a capacity of 260 inmates but a present population of 469 inmates. Ackal added that the sheriff’s office presently has about 11,000 unserved warrants.

Although he estimates all the necessary jail repairs will cost between $1 million and $2 million, Ackal was less certain as to how long such repairs would take, adding repairs made so far have been absorbed into the current sheriff’s office operating budget.

With respect to any investigation into why the jail is in such a condition, Ackal effectively ruled out a grand jury taking on the task.

“Grand juries don’t inspect prisons anymore,” Ackal said. “However, there was a lot of shredding that began as soon as I won the election that went on seven days a week at the sheriff’s department. I got that directly from sheriff’s department employees.”

Ackal also showed visitors both the motor vehicle and boat fleets of the sheriff’s department, many of which are unfit for the road or the water, in his view. He also showed visitors a guard tower with stairs so rotted they cannot be used.

New Iberia City Councilman David Broussard said the conditions he saw were deplorable.

“I think these inmates can get a paintbrush and do some work,” Broussard said.

Parish Councilman Lloyd Brown said he thought the jail conditions were “horrible,” and his fellow council member Maggie Daniels expressed concern for female inmates.

“If it’s this bad for the men, it must be worse for the women,” Daniels said.

Ackal said he plans to set up a garden just outside the jail building where inmates can work. “They used to not want to work in the garden because they would get their tennis shoes dirty,” he said. “My advice — take ‘em off.”

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Comments

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Aug 1, 2008 3:45 PM:

" Would that public financial information be held in all of those documents that were mysteriously shredded before Ackal could take over? "

Angela wrote on Jul 31, 2008 6:52 PM:

" Doesn't the Sheriff have to show financial information every year? This information is available for public view. If you are so curious about where the money went, walk yourself over to the courthouse and find out! "

setting up wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:23 PM:

" I am neither an Hebert or Ackal supporter. I am however sick of the witch hunts (which never turn up witches) and of the public complaining about not having that which they are not willing to pay for. The monster in Washington and in Baton grows ever larger because we always look to them to pay for OUR LOCAL needs. The bottom line is neither Sheriff had or has enough funding (aside from borrowed money Ackal's successor will have to pay back) to do the job we demand. Isn't any left over to steal. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 31, 2008 8:20 AM:

" Well then, we will just have to agree to disagree. I do believe Ackal because Hebert did so much during his time as sheriff! I guess this comes down to the Ackal supporters and the Hebert supporters; and I, for one, have never been an Hebert supporter.

But I do appreciate the banter. Many on here resort to name calling and personal attacks when they cannot get you to agree with them.

Only time will tell if all of us Ackal supporters are correct! "

setting up wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:19 PM:

" No, I don't believe what Ackal is saying with regard to this. I have, and continue to call it grandstanding. Like it or not, the Sheriff (who ever he is) is not responsible for the jail. The Parish is. If the Parish put the Sheriff in an impossible situation (and they did), why do we blame the Sheriff for robbing Peter to pay Paul? Ackal will be doing the exact same thing. By the way, the $4 million in bond money he just borrowed is not required to be repaid by the end of his term. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:06 PM:

" If the "villain" here is not Hebert, who is responsible for the deplorable state of disrepair that our parish jail facility is now in? It's surely not Ackal's fault. He only wanted to show what he inherited when he took over. Hebert was in charge of that jail for more than four years. Surely nobody expects the public to believe that the jail got in its current condition overnight?

The parish government and citizens entrust the jail upkeep and inmate care to the elected sheriff. Maybe Hebert should have done a better job, eh? "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:02 PM:

" In other words, are you calling Sheriff Ackal a liar? Wouldn't he, as the new sheriff, have access to the written budgets, and thus, know exactly what amounts were appropriated for what categories?

Running an office, I know that budgets are created each year, with specific amounts going to office supplies, shop tools, salaries, vehicle expenses, etc.

I imagine that the parish government has a very similar budgetary breakdown. "

setting up wrote on Jul 30, 2008 1:22 PM:

" Where exactly is the written agreement that the $860,000 be spent on "maintenance" of the building. I would like to see that with my own eyes. I frankly doubt that it exists. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:27 AM:

" What I'm speaking of is the $860,000 appropriated by the parish for maintenance on the jail facility. Obviously, under Hebert, the building was not maintained properly. Therefore, the $860,000 that was specified to be spent on building maintenance, was NOT spent on what is was earmarked for.

So, the question still remains, what was that $860,000 used for, when it was specifically set for jail maintenance ONLY?

Yes, the parish is responsible for the inmates' care, but the budget is broken down into specifics and Hebert should answer for what the maintenance budget was spent on. "

setting up wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:13 PM:

" To Had Enough - So what you are saying, is the Parish (who is totally responsible for all financial aspects of the jail) contributed less than one third of what their obligation was, and specified that it be spent on the building, leaving the Sheriff to feed and care for the inmates? If that is true, it is even more disturbing than my original scenario, and the villain is still not the former Sheriff. And the grandstanding is still about Ackal setting the stage for his good old boy cronies privatizing the jail. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 29, 2008 2:15 PM:

" To "Setting_Up:"

The $860,000 in question was specifically earmarked for building maintenance for the parish jail facility. It was not appropriated to be spent on inmates directly, but on the building itself.

Therefore, the question still remains, what was that $860,000 spent on, if the jail facilities are in such deplorable conditions? "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:03 AM:

" To Attorney:

In his "60 Minutes" interview, the sheriff said that the reason he put the inmates in pink clothing wasn't about degrading them. The company that he buys from had pink clothing due to a dye error and they were marked down to get rid of them. He was able to get the pink clothing at a fraction of the cost, and that was his motivation for buying pink.

If others took the pink as a degrading color to dress inmates in, it is their doing, not this sheriff's doing. "

setting up the parish to sell the jail wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:04 PM:

" Any source you can find will say it costs $20,000+ PER INMATE, PER YEAR to run a government jail. The private jail in Epps is charging Harris County TX about $10,000. $860,000 at that rate pays for 86 inmates. There are 400 in the jail. The parish is responsible for the financing of all facets of the jail. The Sheriff provides the manpower. So, the question is not how the $860,000 was spent, but where was the other $3,000,000 the parish should have paid. Privatization is what all this grandstanding is about, in fact. "

tauris wrote on Jul 28, 2008 6:06 PM:

" I think the sheriff was right when he said they are not in their to sleep all day and hoot and holler all night. They have to live their so they might as well learn how to keep their place clean. When you make a mess clean it up. Sleep is for night so they can work during the day. I am sure if they kept busy during the day they would be too tired to cut up at night. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 28, 2008 11:51 AM:

" To Southern_Fried:

Great ideas! Let them work not just in and around the jail facility, but all over the parish. Use the chain gang MO so the threat of escape is minimized, perhaps? That would free up parish and city workers to do other jobs and our city and parish can be a beautiful place once again!

Let's not forget about a much needed investigation into exactly what Hebert and his administration spent that $860,000 on, since it wasn't on maintaining the jail building! "

To Pansy wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:44 AM:

" What juvenile facility have you worked in? I hope you don’t say the one in IPJ, because that doesn’t exist, the closest Juvenile facility to New Iberia is in St. Martinville. So if you have a problem with the way that is run, go talk to SMSO, because that has nothing to do with IPJ. (the original area planed for the juvenile facilty in IPJ was never opened for that use, instead the "OP"(off premise) inmates are housed there. They are the ones you see out on the road cleaning as well as doing other things. "

Southern Fried Brain wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:14 PM:

" To ALL,

How about talking with a psychologist/psychiatrist about colors for behavior?

Find one that is irritating, and-paint-everything-in-the-LOCK-UP area!

Then-change-the-color-of-the-inmate's-clothing-to-match!

Can the inmates be put to work repairing IP's schools? This can be done while NO students are present.

Have-them-cut-the-grass-at-the-parks, playgrounds, etc.

Some could even paint the yellow lines on the roads(ha,ha)!

Use-them-to-rid-public-property-of-graffiti.

Clear ALL sidwalks of grass/weeds growing through.

Spruce-up the community!

Keep up the great work sheriff and deputies!

Way to go! "

Attorney at Law wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:37 AM:

" Everyone is all giddy over the pink walls and clothes at the jail. Ask Sheriff Joe in Arizona if that was a good idea that worked. A resounding no. It became fashionable to wear the pink jail clothing upon release into the community and became so popular that local clothing stores started selling knock-off articles of the jail wardrobe. Besides, men are wearing pink these days so it is no longer a degrading thing.
Since it appears that the pink is aimed at men in order to degrade, what color is appropriate to degrade women in jail?? "

X corrections employee wrote on Jul 26, 2008 2:53 PM:

" they are inmates....dont do the crime...they wont do time...its not your fault ackal that the jail is a disgusting place because the inmates clean it up...if thats the way there house keeping habbits are...then so be it...now how about you do something with the butt load of money thats is supposed to towards fixing the jail...and try buying you some new employees to work there...because the inmates feel the can intimidate the employess who are currently there...and when hands are put on the employees and employees place hands back....guess who gets fired....the employee and nothing happens to the inmate "

Good Job Mr. Ackal.. wrote on Jul 25, 2008 11:09 PM:

" Seems the money has been misused and maybe after investigating he will have some new criminals behind bars to help paint the cells pink! "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:15 AM:

" Our new sheriff, Mr. Ackal, is not embarrassing at all.

What IS embarrassing is the mess that our former sheriff Sid Hebert left for Mr. Ackal to clean up. "

Are you serious wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:15 AM:

" That is our sheriff?
How embarrassing. "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Here is an idea:

When the prisoners are done fixing up and cleaning the parish jail, Ackal can haul them to the parish courthouse and they can work there. The second floor needs a top to bottom cleaning and a paint job. The walls look like they haven't been wiped down since 1970, much less painted since Huey Long was governor!

The filth in that courtroom was absolutely appalling and disgusting! "

Question wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Where are all of the so call Minister's; Pastors and Preacher's what are they doing???? "

Tax Payer wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:05 PM:

" I am certain many of them, if giving the chance would rather stand in a clean shower instead of one infested with mold. What do you expect them to clean them with their hands and cold water? These inmates were left without hot water for a few months. They do not have access to cleaning supplies. You people that sit there on your high horses and whine about your taxes need to get involved and educate yourselves with some FACTS if you want to speak of the matter. "

Deborah C. White wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:13 PM:

" Filth is uncalled for! But I am sure they have never been made to clean up their pig pen's. Now they will have to clean. I don't feel they need any extra's either. The $860,000 a year to support the jail definately needs some investigating of funds. Someone on another thread said we as a community needs to makes our voices be heard. I would suggest airing this a a council meeting. The Governor head us! Although the council is different as there are several deaf ears (excluding the new members). "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:34 PM:

" We are not living in some third world country. They do need the basics, which does not include TV or gourmet meals, but clean showers and cells are a necessity.

Let them work. Make them paint and cut the grass and wash the cars and work in gardens. Make them earn their keep.

The real questions here are not being asked. What happened to the $860,000 in Hebert's budget? What did it get spent on? Why is no one demanding that Hebert account for this money and the state of the jail? "

pansy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:25 AM:

" No, Pam Broussard, I did not call them animals nor have I ever been incarcerated. The only time I've spent in jail was as a corrections/patrol officer. I am well aware of the judicial system. I know it's flaws and the intent of the judicial system. My point is because the men and women are incarcerated for whatever they may or may not have done it is not fair, nor healthy to have them living in filth and infestation. Yes, I have someone very near and dear to me that is incarcerated(not in New Iberia). "

wonderful sheriff wrote on Jul 20, 2008 3:48 PM:

" It's about time we have a Sheriff that will do the job! where are the drugs coming from! "

T Marie wrote on Jul 19, 2008 4:16 PM:

" I say clean up that mess. Those men and women in jail need to start cleaning up that dirty place. We don't need to pay more taxes for their lazyness. "

round wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:57 AM:

" To mgranger
I didn't pay a fine 2 yrs ago so I spent 2 nights there and was released that next morning, and on top of that I lost my manager position at work. "

Master Sparks wrote on Jul 19, 2008 6:55 AM:

" 469 inmates? There must have a few carpenters ,handy men,welders,etc.in the lot.No one plays for free I've been taught.How we treat our fellow humans, be they prisoners, indiginant,or mentally weak,dictates how we'll be judged one day. I'm not asking to increase funding, but merely having the incarcerated sharing the burden of their situation .Surely grow their own food,clean their own house (jail) and make this jail a place livable.No one knows what the future holds.Anyone might be there next.You want to see impressive, drive pass Levenworth in Kansas.Not a blade of grass, paper out of place.Very clean and neat. "

Magda Sonnier wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:48 PM:

" The POINT here is....“There was $860,000 that was supposed to go towards the jail. Where did it all go?”

I am soooo PROUD to have Sheriff Ackal representing our city!! "

Pam Broussard wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:51 PM:

" To the person who was in jail and they called them animals, I think the name was pansy. I guess you do not know anything about the legal system - if you are arrested you are accused of a crime, and a large number of those are innocent until proven guilty. Remember something called the justice system?? They are found innocent or guilty after a trial by either a jury or judge. Have you ever been falsely accused or at the wrong place at the wrong time? It happens! Let's hope it never happens to you! "

To Round wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:29 PM:

" How would you know this? Are u a prisoner there with internet access? Or could you be one of the visitors that toured the facility? If you are, why didn't you speak up at the time??? "

mgranger wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:46 PM:

" What kind of laws are in effect that would keep a man locked up for two to four years without a trial? Sounds like the United Staes Justice Dept. Should be involved. Peole of New Iberia and the surrouding parishes shoid be appalled by this kind of law. What does anyone else think????????????? "

round wrote on Jul 18, 2008 1:28 PM:

" When he showed the jail why didn't he leave that Mexican in the room with no clothes, food, or water, he was eating his own waste,and mysteriously disappeared when the media was called. "

Joan LaFleur wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:08 AM:

" Louisiana has programs similar to Marion County, FL at some state prisons. Elyan Hunt Correctional Facility in St. Gabriel, LA has their own vegetable gardens, make their own cleansing products, such as soap, household cleansers, etc. The facility is very clean and grounds kept in pristine condition by inmates. Not only does this save money, but improves moral, food and environment.

I have had the dubious honor of visiting a family member in both facilities and I can tell you the atmosphere is very different. At Iberia Parish Jail visitors were treated like inmates and it was obviously dirty even in public areas. At Hunt visitors are treated with respect, the facility and visiting areas are very clean, there are programs of all kinds training for jobs, GED, spiritual, addiction programs, etc. They encourage family visitation in order to improve quality of life for everyone, families as well as inmates.

My wish is that Sheriff Ackal the courage to continue to represent those who have no voice. My prayers are with him. Good job!!! "

pansy wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:28 AM:

" As a matter of fact I do know someone in there. I know a lot of some ones in there. I've worked in there. I've seen the conditions in there. I've seen the ones that repeats. But I've also worked in the juvenile facility and what I do see is the beginning of warehousing. When you don't address the real problem it becomes a cycle. You know the saying "if you always do what you've always done you'll always get what you've always gotten". Everyone in New Iberia knows someone in the facility or have a relative done. When you have nothing constructive to say it is so easy to just say anything. It is alright to just listen or read sometimes. "

disgusted.. wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:19 PM:

" To inform you, my family does have a person in Iberia Parish Correctional Center, and they chose to break the law on their own. To be frank about, they had a warrant for their arrest, and guess what, I turned them in...my own family member....So, it would not bother me in the least to see my family member live in a tent....the crimes that they did, put them on the streets, so at least this way, they would have a small roof over their head...... "

RG_New Iberia wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:59 PM:

" To the reader who wrote to me-I for one am not saying treat these humans as animals - I do not think it is good for them to live in mold, mildew and god knows what else - but I dont agree for them living in an upscale jail while I am paying for it. They are humans,some are innocent, some are in jail for minor crimes-use these as resources to build our jail back up-to work in the garden producing their own food. I just feel like the people struggling trying to raise children and do right by the law dont live as good as these inmates yet we are worried about making things easier for them rather than our fellow neighbor who desperately may need your help to feed his/her children. "

TO to pansy.... wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:35 PM:

" News Flash.... I do know someone who is there...there isn't much to do all day. There are no programs to keep them busy. Some are lucky enough to make trustee, but not all. Church is about the extent of the activities. No scholl, no anger management, no drug rehabilitation. What would you do all day? "

Farrow wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Someone needs to conduct an independent audit of the previous sheriff's administration. "

Cynical Cajun wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:09 PM:

" I am so glad the truth about NI is coming out. Let's clean up the town and get rid of the trash. A garden is a great idea. Let's get the inmates off their tails and working to maintain the jail grounds. If they can gain satisfaction from being able to accomplish something positive, i.e. a garden then that is the first step to rehabilitation. Possibly the pride they get from that experience will help them make better decision when they are released. Build them up so they won't be back and maybe can contribute to society in a positive way. Strength based approach..... "

HAD ENOUGH wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:43 PM:

" Broken windows, rusting hinges and rusted doors are more of a security problem than an aesthetic problem, don't you think? Shouldn't the things that would make escape easy, be fixed first?

Why is hardly anyone on here asking about the money that Hebert had in his budget for maintenance on the jail? What was that money spent on?

Why is no one asking about the shredded papers? This should be another grave concern.

The inmates housed there do not deserve resort-style living, I agree. But they do deserve the basics. Otherwise, we are treating them the same as third world dictatorships treat their prisoners. "

David wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:41 PM:

" Good Luck Sheriff Ackal . Hope this initial surge will continue , if so perhaps this may be the first of many years of service . But one wonders how the degradation of a correctional facility could have gone unnoticed for all of these years better yet left to degrade with out complaint or action . Perhaps programs can be initiated to allow the population to reform and reintegrate into society as noble citizens . Please take control of our home town and allow it to be respectable as in our younger days . "

TexasFred wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:14 PM:

" The funny part is, no one is investigating Sid for misappropriation of funds and/or embezzlement... "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:44 AM:

" It is about time that someone is doing something about the "good ole boy" network that is ruining this town. We are living in the year 2008. It is time to move on and get rid of our reputation as a crooked community. Why not be a good example for other communities. "

to pansy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Do you know how many time some of the same "animals" have been in jail for the same are different crimes, do you read the police report and see the same names over and over, and what they did. And you say they are suppose to come out more productive, well why do they keep going back in. And by the way that is a jail not a motel. They are not in their to play cards and cut up and sleep all day, that is not a vacation. You must know someone who has been theremaybe a family member? "

Shamed.... wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:10 AM:

" it is amazing how you can say treat them like animals. Truth is maybe you live in filth and think it isn't so bad. I have a family member that is in jail and yes deserves to be there, but doesn't deserve to live in the conditions that are forced upon her. She is a size 0 one the outside but was issued a XX jumper because someone didn't want to DO THEIR JOB and issue one that fit her. Females are not allowed to do trustee work, which could very well be cleaning and keeping the facility up. Since Ackal took office they are made to get up at 5:30 am and make their beds, they are not allowed to get under covers until lock down at night. Before they were allowed to do nothing all day. They are responsible for their own areas, but in the past were not MADE to do anything...We all know the majority rules! I would NOT take initiave to work my tail off cleaning if the majority chose to sit on their's and not contribute. Or to become the "maid" of the POD. Changes are underway, but will take time to make an impact. There is also no more smoking in the facility. YES people this is JAIL, but deplorable conditions are NOT acceptable. Mold and mildew can make you sick....then we as tax payers will have to pay for medical treatment. "

Far from home wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:51 AM:

" I do agree that the guilty must pay for what they have done but that does not give the State, Parish, or whom ever to let them live like dogs. Good for you Mr. Ackal you get this place cleanded up and it's great you are letting others see what you have inherit. God Speed to you and the people whom will claean this mess. "

Vesta Ray wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:50 AM:

" if you read correctly I know for a fact Louis does not want to run A hotel at the jail.You have to understand security is a must,a person in jail for 4 years without a trial is unacceptable,even one camera that dose not work is unacceptable. Where did the money go that was for the up keep of the jail? Finish with that we have that answer.Louis is just letting us know what going on.Give him time he will get it all staight it takes time.I promise you the jail will be no hotel.Shedding of papers we knew Sid would not play fair he was not about fair.We corrected our mistake by electing Louis Sid figured he could make the people of New Iberia believe anything he said.The same people who worked to get Sid elected or the same people who work to get Louis elected.We prove to Sid we are not stupid people you can can only push us so far before we take action.I am proud of the people of Iberia Parish "

Julie wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:20 AM:

" Many Detention Facilities in many cities all over the United States have encountered similar problems and have come up with many ways to handle it .

In Marion County Florida as many other places ,some of the inmates are working a farm where their own vegetables and fruit are grown thus cutting back the cost of the taxpayers and giving inmates something to do other than sit .

Usually once a inmate has been to court and received their sentence , their time in jail decreases with time served and good behavior, working a job within the detention facility could also accomplish this on a more productive side for them and for the taxpayers not to mention many have skills that could be used for painting , cleaning etc the jail . "

Joan LaFleur wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:49 AM:

" I have read the comments and was happy to see that some of you are humanitarians. I agree that the inmates need to be put to work to clean up and repair the place. Most of the inmates are in jail due to drug addiction. Family either did not have money to get them out of trouble or refused to enable them.

It deeply disturbs me to see them referred to as animals. Many of them have hurt no one but themselves and struggle with a debilitating illness. I agree they have a choice, but they are not animals, they are sons, husbands, fathers, etc. I wonder if those who refer to them as animals attend church or pray the Our Father. Who of you have never broken the law? Perhaps you have cheated on taxes, stolen from an employer, broken the speed limit, driven while just a little intoxicated or beat your wife. Who of you can throw the first stone? "

pansy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:50 AM:

" I think the inmates should be held accountable for the crimes some have committed and others are alledged to have committed but to live in horrid conditions are terrible. It is not upscale or vacationing to live in a clean, uninfested environment. You say treat them as the animals they are, remember no one in Iberia Jail is serving a life sentence and you want the 'animals' to be released more productive than when they were incarcerated. How? If you do not have a positive solution to an increasing problem don't waste anyone's time with the issidious and redundant remarks. They are counter-productive. "

To the uniformed wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:05 AM:

" It is refreshing to see a sheriff who isn't afraid to speak the truth without caring if it offends the "wrong people." I have to say that during Sheriff's Hebert's tenure he seemed more concerned with his hair do than his job as the most powerful man in the parish. Like I have said in past posts that I believe we should call Sheriff Ackal "Walking Tall!" It seems like Sheriff Ackal is on track to change this department from the ground up! "

ni citizen wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:57 AM:

" I know where Ackal can get some money from, Will. He is good at getting his hands on money that does not belong to him anyway. It can't hurt to ask. "

dlb wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:39 AM:

" I hope Mr. Ackal keeps to his word, jail is not a motel it is a place for criminals. When they catch them messing us the jail they need to add more time to their sentence, and make them fix it. Why should we tax payers have to pay for their destruction. And someone should be made accountable for all that money that was missing, they need to launch an investigation. "

lets get it up wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:11 PM:

" Finally a sheriff that talks plain and clear. No more talking circles around our heads or outright lying. Ernest Freyou,call the attorney general and lets find out who stole our tax dolars. "

NoOne wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 PM:

" To those people who are saying they deserve to live like animals need to take a few things into consideration.

The parish jail houses people who have been convicted as well as those waiting to stand trial. In this country you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Since D.A's do not have 100 percent conviction rates i think it serves as proof that innocent people are in the parish jail. Some of them do not have the ability to post bail and are reliant upon a public defender. So do these people deserve to live like animals?

Also our prison system is supposed to serve 2 purposes. One being punishment and the often forgotten purpose of being for rehabilitation. When a prisoner is forced to live in these type of conditions do you think it helps the rehabilitation process?
I do agree that the work should be performed by the inmates whenever possible to reduce the burden on the taxpayers. "

lets be fair wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:20 PM:

" Nowhere in this story is it mentioned that the THE PARISH, and not the Sheriff is responsible for the jail. The Sheriff OPERATES it, the parish owns and maintains it. I also see some selective memory, as the prior Sheriff went to the Parish time and again for maintenance money, and was rebuffed each time. "

Frank Rizzo wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:52 PM:

" Those of you who are wanting these prisoners (who are still people) to live in tents or in deplorable conditions, you would be the first ones crying if someone you knew or was from your family had to live in those tents. You would complain about how much taxes you pay for someone you love to have to live in a tent. "

To RG wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Your comments are the most sensible comments I have ever heard on this forum, so true. I for one would love some home renovations for the home I worked so hard to buy, but I have to work even harder to pay for the upkeep and repair, and I work EVERY day. No, I don't think these inmates should be treated like animals in deplorable conditions, but for some jail is a step up, and they will do what it takes to live "better", i.e. food, clothing(jumpsuit), showers, and a bed. "

Attorney at Law wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:28 PM:

" Correct me if I am wrong. If memory serves me right, the Iberia Parish Government owns the jail (the physical building and contents) and entered into an agreement with Sid to run it. It puzzles me how someone can own something of value and not occasionally check on the condition of said property.
I own rent houses. I make regular checks of my properties in an effort make my renters maintain my investment. "Horrible" and "deplorable" should be shared equally with the Parish and Sid.
All that yelling at the camera was not necessary, the Media circus will fold the big tent in short order. Trust me, it's coming. **Note** I am not an attorney, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night....... "

digusted wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:56 PM:

" The "people" supposedly housed here, as our new Sheriff puts it, are "criminals" who choose to break the "law" and have this place become their home. Why should those like myself who work for a living, pay hundreds in taxes, really give a crap about the conditions of Iberia Parish Correctional Center. As far as I am concerned tear down the whole building and simply pop up some tents in the field.........they (the people housed there) dont need all the luxuries inside that place anyway.....THEY ARE CRIMINALS!!!!!!! "

Felton Carmouche wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:41 PM:

" Funny the main topic during the campaign was about cleaning up the streets. Now he gets in office and the first thing he wants is millions of dollars to clean up where the criminals live? LOL Most of these bums in jail have more mold in their personal showers than they do at the jail. "

Southern Fried Brain wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:06 PM:

" Sheriff, it's good that you show the people of IP just what you found! Now, maybe they will back off, even just a little bit. It would be terrible if our taxes went up, just because of someone elses' neglect. The garden is a good second step. The first being the re-furbishing of the jail! I am in favor of using convicts as workers! It's about time they worked for their "keep". The last item I would fix would be the HVAC system, unless of course it also serves the Deputies areas! If you make their stay uncomfortable, they may not want to visit with you again. Which means, one less criminal out on the streets.

GODSPEED Sheriff, and Deputies! "

mg wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:56 PM:

" Somebody needs to get the outgoing Sheriff I used that term loosely in this response along with top echelon of his officers and put them in the jail where they might belong anyways somewhere down the road in the near future "

Joe wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Treat people who make mistakes, break the law as though they are animals; that's what they become "

ALL FOR ACKAL wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:17 PM:

" If anyone can get it done;trust me, he can and will. I've been knowing this man for years and when he gets focused to accomplish a task, he can't be stopped. And as the results are always positive.
KUDOS Sheriff "

threadprotector wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Before any one rush to judgment, a full fledge independent audit needs to be implemented. This should be standard before any new politician whom oversees a budget takes office. This way someone can be held accountable. And another thing. This community doesn't need politicians mouthing off about lack of security, whether it be the lack of law enforcement or the lack of prison security. This talk only fuels more crime and problems. Your job now is to do something, so do it. "

RG_New Iberia wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:56 PM:

" Like another poster said on a different forum - why should we as tax payers pay for these criminals to live in an upscale jail? They are the ones running it in the ground - I think they should live in horrible conditions for the crimes they commit. They might think twice about committing more crimes! Think about it people-we give them luxury and they are all going to want to be in jail living free w/ a nice place to sleep, 3 meals a day and hot water to bath - some people dont live as good as these criminals - help the poor rather than the criminals. "

NI Taxpayer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:48 PM:

" Sheriff Ackal,
I would like to suggest a tent city like in Arizona. Much less upkeep and have the prisoners grow their own food. It is time we make jail less appealing... it is not a vacation... I think you are on the right track. I would love to know where the $860,000.00 went....?? "

An observer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:37 PM:

" I'm sure the inmates will be happy to get to work with paintbrushes and chlorox to take care of this and I am sure the new sheriff will put them to work without any additional media events needed. "

Ackal Will do things right wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:19 PM:

" Mr.Ackal I know you will get things in order! "

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