Orleans Parish Jail – New Orleans, LA

Orleans Parish Jail is in Orleans Parish, Louisiana and is the primary jail for the area. Do you know someone incarcerated at Orleans Parish Jail? This site will tell you information about everything a person needs to know about Orleans Parish Jail,like: Find an inmate at Orleans Parish Jail. Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. How to post bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court information and records. And more…

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful situation, not only for the person who gets arrested, but also that person’s friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give information and advice you need to make getting locked up easier. If you have a question, just ask them, and please leave any tips or comments that would be a benefit to others is appreciated.

Do you know someone that has gone to jail and want to find out where they are?

Do you know someone that has been arrested and you need to locate them?

To find out who’s in jail at Orleans Parish Jail you will have to visit their website and do an inmate lookup.

The Orleans Parish Jail Inmate List has information on persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes custody status, bail amount (if applicable), and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to find the same information about anybody who has been arrested or released in the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to get the information fast if you enter the arrestee’s name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If the person you are looking for is incarcerated at a different jail you should check our guide to other Louisiana jails: Other Jails in Louisiana

A mugshot, also called a intake photograph, is a photograph that the police take when you are booked into jail. They take one face photo and a side-view photo. Your name and jail booking number will appear on the mugshot, and they’re stored.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched online, or you can go in person to the Orleans Parish Jail. When you search for mugshots online you will need to put in their name, and the booking date, if you have it.

Do you want to get your mugshot removed from the Orleans Parish Jail website? This is difficult, as the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

To learn more about getting your mugshot removed, the various mugshot sites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: Mugshot Removal

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Naturally, if you are locked up, your main thought is about when you get out. After you’ve been booked, your bail amount will be set using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If there is no bail set this may mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released you must agree to show up for court, and until that day you can’t travel out of the county.

Typically, prisoners will earn an early release in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and don’t cause any problems while incarcerated.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. You will either have to go back to jail every day when you’re finished working, or you could get to sleep in a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Bail is how much money that you are required to pay to get out of jail pending trial. The amount you will be required to pay is dictated by the crime you are charged with. You or someone you know will have to pay 10 percent of the total that was set in order to get out of jail. If you fail to show up for your scheduled court date, whoever put up your bail money will lose all of the bail money.

To find out someone’s bail amount you must call the Orleans Parish Jail. If you have all the person’s information, like name, address and date of birth, they will tell you what their bail is set at. Also, you can see the bail amount online.

Having to get someone out of jail is never a fun thing, but usually, it is really easy. First of all, you need to find out if it is a Cash Only Bond situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use the services of a Bail Bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail will not take checks. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the prisoner will be discharged. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get the bail money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you should look into the services of a bail bondsman. They usually charge a fee of 10-15% of the bail amount, and sometimes charge a minimum fee of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If the bail is extremely high, the bail bondsman may use assets as collateral.

You can find a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever used the services of bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how things turned out.

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• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Released For Time Served
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The intake process includes each of these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• First, must answer a number of questions, like what is your full legal name, street address, date of birth and a contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will be taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• You will then be allowed to use the telephone in order to call a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might be able to keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will have to change into a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If so, please share your experience so others can benefit from your story. How long did you have to wait? Were you treated fairly? Can you share any secrets that could help others get through jail intake?

Speak Your Mind

Once bail has been posted, you will be discharged from jail. The discharge process may take from 30 minutes to quite a few hours. In simple terms, the faster you post bail, the sooner you will get released. Also, it will depend on whether or not you’ve been given a cash bond or if the judge still needs to determine the bail amount. For minor offenses, you will get booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served your sentence and are given a discharge date, plan to be discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

for your arrest, or if you have to report to start a sentence, you really should follow the law and turn yourself in willingly. For a warrant, report to the jail intake area, and tell an officer that believe that there could be an outstanding warrant for your arrest. A record check will be run, and if so, you will be taken into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Be very careful that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Only bring required items when you go, for example your driver’s license or ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and a copy of the sentencing order.

Inmates need to provide each visitor’s name to the jail in advance. Your visitor’s information will be put into the visitors log as an approved visitor. Each visitor is required to provide identification. Any visitors arriving late or that is not on the visitation list will not be able to attend visitation.
The Orleans Parish Jail visitation procedures are always changing, so we suggest that you visit the official site before you visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are generally more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. There is no limit to when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but you should keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the rules, phone privileges might get reduced or cut altogether.

Phone Number: (504) 523-6143

All mail is required to be mailed using the actual US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other form of delivery. You must write the prisoner’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the letter. Do not mail anything in a package, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail that you send to inmates gets opened and reviewed by the staff, and the mail will be returned to the sender if deemed inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Orleans Parish Jail is:

Orleans Parish Jail
403 Civil Courts Building
New Orleans, LA 70112

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Orleans Parish Jail
403 Civil Courts Building
New Orleans, LA 70112

The inmate mail policy at Orleans Parish Jail changes frequently, so double check the official website before you send a letter to an inmate there.

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When you get arrested, you should know you still have rights, the first of which is the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure to ask a friend or family member to locate a lawyer when you call. You may be thinking ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, an attorney can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and help you navigate the complicated legal system that you are now faced with. The faster you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your case, the better off you’ll be.

To read more about this, visit: How to Find an Attorney in Orleans Parish

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. Also, the Public Defender Office is staffed by investigators, forensics experts as well as social case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are full-fledged attorneys that are admitted to the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

Have you or someone you know used a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? Do you think they properly handled your case?

Orleans Parish court records are public records. They include a file with a docket sheet and each of the documents and motions that have been filed in your case. You are able to access your court case records with the online service, or at the Clerk’s office of the Court.

A Clerk of Court is a member of the court that maintains court records and controls access to them. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records associated with your case are held at Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the costs associated with your case, which include filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you are low income and have been assigned a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

A Magistrate is the type of judge who presides on your case. They do different tasks, like determining how much your bail will be, issuing warrants, and presiding over preliminary and procedural court proceedings and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together to include your background information and as much detail about the arrestee’s life and history, which the magistrate will take into consideration when determining a sentence. Information will be gathered from the person on trial, their family, and, if applicable, the victim. Keep in mind you can ask to see a copy of the pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, so you can correct the mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, which include community service to probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on sentencing guidelines and the severity of your crime, you could be taken into custody immediately, or you could be given a date that you must turn yourself into jail to serve out your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if some you know is incarcerated in jail, or has ever been in jail?

To find this out you will have to access the jail website and do an inmate search, and do a search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you can call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants on the website or you are able to call the jail. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask them. You should know that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and the date of their arrest, contact the Orleans Parish jail, either by phone, go there in person, or find out online. Arrest records are a matter of public record and this is available to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you get served with papers, which can be a court order. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All people registered as sex offenders must be registered on both a national and state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted of a sex offense. You are able to view this information on the website, but bear in mind that you can’t get the actual address, but only the address block that they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. Court Records include a case file containing a court docket and all of the filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access the court records via the internet, or at Clerk of Court office in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains a record of people’s criminal history. These state databases are connected so you are able to track criminal histories from other states. Go to the Orleans Parish Courthouse and inquire, or check online. It is helpful to know the county, and if it was in a different state entirely, you may have to pay for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you are able to get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for any of the following crimes:

• DUI or DWI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft.

When you do a criminal history search, you generally won’t learn if someone had:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get driving histories, you have to do a driving records search.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it a difficult process? Did you search online or did you call the jail? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that people look up criminal records, and your story could help other people.

Click here to leave a comment

Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI has a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Orleans Parish, the Sheriff keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of being incarcerated in the Orleans Parish jail is quite unpleasant, in time you will get accustomed to the daily routine. You should expect an alarm for wake-up at about 6:00AM, and next you’ll have roll call. You will then eat breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will have to work in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Orleans Parish Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Orleans Parish Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending money to inmates at Orleans Parish Jail can change, so review the site when you send funds to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Orleans Parish Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Orleans Parish Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Orleans Parish Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to share your story


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

Click here to tell about all about it

Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been incarcerated in Orleans Parish Jail? Do you have a friend or family member there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner in this jail?

If you have, then we would like you to write a review about it. Write down what you experienced so that others can learn what to expect.

Things you could include in your comment:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail layout and facility
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Safety
• Gang activity
• Programs and activities


Let Everyone Know

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s been in jail has some stories to tell about the whole experience. How’d you end up in jail? How did the guards treat you? What happened to you while you were locked up? Tell us about the other inmates. How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to post a comment

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Need to get in touch with somebody you met in jail? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

Say Hello to Orleans Parish Jail


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