Inmate Found Dead Inside Orleans Justice Center Cell; Investigation Underway

NEW ORLEANS, La. (BuzzReport)— Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate who was found unresponsive early Monday morning inside the Orleans Justice Center jail, according to officials with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The inmate was discovered shortly after 6:30 a.m. on July 27 during a routine security check in the facility’s second-floor E housing unit. Officials said a deputy conducting rounds found the inmate unresponsive inside his cell and immediately alerted medical personnel.

Keith Lampkin, Chief Administrative Officer for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, said emergency procedures were initiated without delay as deputies and medical staff worked to save the inmate’s life.

“Emergency protocols were immediately initiated,” Lampkin said in a statement. “OPSO and facility medical personnel began life-saving techniques as emergency medical services were en route to the facility. Facility medical personnel continued efforts to preserve the life of the individual until EMS took over.”

Despite extensive resuscitation efforts by jail medical staff and emergency responders, the inmate was pronounced dead. Officials have not released the inmate’s identity, age, or any preliminary information regarding the cause of death.

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has been notified and will conduct an examination to determine the official cause and manner of death.

“Unfortunately, efforts to revive the individual were unsuccessful,” Lampkin said. “The coroner’s office has been notified and will begin their examination to determine the official cause of death.”

As is standard procedure in cases involving deaths in custody, multiple agencies have been notified and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Lampkin, investigators are working to reconstruct the inmate’s final hours inside the facility and gather all available information that could shed light on what occurred before the inmate was found.

“OPSO is working to collect all information about the individual and retrace his last several hours in the facility,” Lampkin stated. “The OPSO Investigative Services Bureau is working with Orleans Justice Center supervisors to determine all factors which may have contributed to this incident and are fully cooperating with New Orleans Police Department detectives, who were notified pursuant to standard protocols following a suspected in-custody death.”

No public statement had been released by Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork as of Monday afternoon.

The death comes as officials continue to face scrutiny over inmate safety and conditions within correctional facilities across Louisiana and the nation.

Officials have emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages, and additional details are expected to be released once the coroner’s examination is completed and investigators gather more information.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.