Orleans Parish Justice Center (OJC)

You can support your loved ones at Orleans Justice Center on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 504-202-9339 .

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Orleans Justice Center is a detention center located at 2800 Perdido St New Orleans, LA which is operated locally by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Orleans Parish Parish accepts inmates from surrounding towns, New Orleans Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Louisiana here.

The Orleans Justice Center (OJC) is the primary correctional facility for Orleans Parish, located a few blocks from Downtown New Orleans and the Superdome, providing state-of-the-art detention services under the supervision of Sheriff Susan Hutson. The OJC is equipped with modern security systems and advanced surveillance technology, ensuring the safety and supervision of its inmates. The facility, with a capacity of 1,438 beds, accommodates a wide range of detainees, including those awaiting trial, serving short-term sentences, or awaiting transfer to state or federal institutions. Beyond its security functions, the OJC offers comprehensive medical and mental health care and programs aimed at rehabilitation and personal development for inmates.

While the OJC serves as the central hub for detention services in Orleans Parish, the Orleans Parish Temporary Detention Center (TDC) plays an important complementary role. Originally established after Hurricane Katrina to address the damage and overflow issues faced by the parish's correctional system, the TDC continues to operate as an auxiliary facility. It is located near the OJC (3100 Perdido Street) and is often used to house specific populations, such as detainees with mental health needs, or to alleviate capacity constraints at the main facility. Though smaller in scale and originally intended as a temporary solution, the TDC remains a critical part of the correctional infrastructure.

Together, the OJC and TDC ensure that the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office can effectively meet the diverse needs of its inmate population. The OJC’s advanced capabilities and permanent structure form the backbone of the correctional system, while the TDC provides the flexibility and additional space required to manage special circumstances. This coordinated approach allows Orleans Parish to maintain high standards of care, security, and operational efficiency in its detention services.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. You might qualify for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.