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A new state audit of juvenile detention centers and secure care facilities is highlighting issues with the use of solitary confinement and room isolation, including violations of state standards and inconsistent reporting.

A report issued by the Louisiana legislative auditor last week examined the use of room confinement and isolation in juvenile detention centers and secure care facilities throughout Louisiana in 2019 and 2020, as requested by House Resolution 50 approved by the Legislature last year.

The resolution tasked the legislative auditor with analyzing the duration, reasons and demographics of youth held in room confinement by facility, and the report addresses both the state’s 13 licensed juvenile detention centers and five secure care facilities.

At the juvenile detention centers — Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensed facilities where youth await court proceedings — auditors found "at least 1,318 youth were assigned to 6,188 instances of room confinement" in 2019 and 2020.

Louisiana juvenile detention standards allow the use of room confinement for up to 72 hours and for disciplinary reasons. Auditors found that "while the average amount of room confinement time was 20.7 hours, detention centers document room confinement differently and do not always include required information, which makes it difficult to know exactly how much time youth are spending in room confinement," according to the report.

Auditors found some instances of room confinement exceeded 72 hours at the detention centers, and noted that calculations of time spent in isolation are not recorded the same way at all facilities.

"We … found that some detention centers do not include sleep time in the calculation of room confinement duration when confinement extends overnight, which makes their confinement duration shorter than centers that do," the auditors wrote.

The most common reason for room confinement in detention centers was youth-on-youth fighting and physical aggression, with black 16-year-old males accounting for the most instances.

"Of the 6,188 instances of room confinement in calendar years 2019 and 2020, youth-on-youth fighting and threats/violence to staff accounted for 2,171 (35.1%) of confinement," the report read. "However, the detention centers also used room confinement as a punishment for lesser negative behaviors, such as failure to follow instructions and disruptive behavior, which accounted for 2,302 (37.2%) of confinements."

The Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) oversees four facilities for males and one for female youth adjudicated by a court and placed under supervision or custody by a judge. No laws or regulations provide standards for room confinement at the secure care facilities, but OJJ policy allows for "extended behavioral intervention" of up to seven days, or 168 hours.

In 2019 and 2020, "approximately 217 youth in secure care facilities were assigned 751 instance of room confinement. The average amount of time youth were in room confinement was 137 hours," the auditors wrote. "In August 2020, OJJ changed its policy from a maximum of eight hours to a maximum of seven days (168 hours). However, we found that 76 (33.2%) of these instances of confinement that occurred after this policy change exceeded seven days."

Auditors also found confinement time in the secure care facilities exceeded the national average. The most common reason for room confinement was threats, cursing, or violence towards staff, followed by disruptive behavior, again with black 16-yeear-old males accounting for most instances.

DCFS officials addressed a series of audit recommendations to standardize reporting, ensure best practices to limit the time youth spend in isolation, and increase public transparency, but local officials with the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District and Jefferson Parish Department of Juvenile Services took issue with some of the recommendations.

The OJJ also concurred with most of the audit recommendations and offered insight into how the department is working to limit the use of room confinement, though OJJ Deputy Secretary William Sommers disagreed with a recommendation to post information on instances of room confinement online.

"The use of behavioral intervention is captured on paper forms and logbooks. There is not an automated process to calculate this data," Sommers wrote. "Data is manually counted for (performance-based standards) two months out of the year and reported. OJJ does not have the manpower to make this happen 12 months out of the year, nor do we see the need for this to occur."

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police arrested a man Sunday who is accused of aggravated battery. Officers made two more arrests on drunk-driving charges.

Morgan City

Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 120 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:

--Alfredo Ortega-Reyes, 31, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:13 p.m. Sunday on charges on charges of aggravated battery and simple battery.

--Richard Denon Albritton III, 34, Helen Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:44 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated flight from an officer, disregard of traffic controls, speeding, no insurance, no registration and no driver’s license on person.

--Oscar Fernando Hernandez Vasquez, 29, Bergeron Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:27 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), careless operation and no driver’s license.

--Kenneth J. McQuiston, 62, Franklin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:03 a.m. Friday on charges of theft (under $1,000) and criminal trespassing.

--Chanel Maize, 41, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:56 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging simple burglary.

--Derek Gould Jr., 37, Versen Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 2:33 p.m. Friday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging three counts of failure to appear for trial.

--Sanna A. Khan, 33, Halsey Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:26 p.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).

--Michael King, 45, Sixth Street, was arrested at 8:35 p.m. Friday as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

--Aubrey Joseph Daigle III, 22, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested at 1:07 a.m. Saturday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.

--Carlton Paul Moncada, 62, Karen Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:05 a.m. Saturday on charges of careless operation and hit and run.

--Abram Marquis Granger Jr., 23, Apple Street, was arrested at 9:54 a.m. Saturday on charges of no driver’s license and failure to signal.

--Dequante Queon Wesley, 28, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:07 p.m. Saturday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear for trial and on charges of resisting an officer and possession of paraphernalia.

--Carol Lynn Clark, 52, Egle Street Morgan City, was arrested at 3:40 P.M. Saturday on warrants alleging interfering with an investigation, battery on a police officer and disturbing the peace.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 111 complaints and made these arrests:

--Joshua M. Aucoin, 35, Morgan City, was was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of second-degree battery. Aucoin was released on a $5,500 bond.

--Kelsey Dlaine Ventura, 34, Hammond, was arrested at 3:57 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set.

--Jade Michael Leblanc, 28, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:04 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving under suspension and improper display of license plate. Leblanc was released on a summons to appear July 19.

--Steven Curtis Martin, 45, Franklin, was arrested at 4:49 p.m. Saturday on a charge of telephone calls (harassment). Martin was released on a summons to appear July 19.

--William James Moore, 23, Franklin, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Sunday on a charge of violation of protective orders. Bail has not been set.

--Ronald Ray McDaniel, 61, Franklin, was arrested at 10:34 a.m. Sunday on charges of turning movements or required signals and driving under suspension. McDaniel was released on a summons to appear July 19.

--Makai James Anthony, 18, New Iberia, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Sunday charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.

Bail was set at $39,000.

--Courtney Lashone Bourda, 38, Franklin was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana. Bourda was released on a paid fine.

A celebration will be held Sunday at the World War II Museum in New Orleans to honor Franklin native and forgotten war hero Felix Polito on his 100th birthday.
In BB’s Stage Door Canteen, doors will open at 11 a.m., followed by the presentation at noon.

Maj. General Lee Hopkins and Sarah Stelzer of the FSSF Association will be presenting.

The Army provided this account of Polito’s life and service:

On April 20, 1922, Felix Polito was born one of Joseph and Antonina’s 11 children in Franklin..
He grew up working the sugar cane fields of Alice C Plantation.

At age 19, in the spring of 1941, Felix accepted a position with Delta Shipbuilding in New Orleans. He
helped to build ships meant for helping U.S. allies in a war our country wasn’t yet fighting.

Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in December of that same year, and Felix wasted no time in
enlisting in the Army.

He soon came forward to volunteer for a new type of fighting unit: The Firs Special Service Force. In time, the unit would become known as The Devil’s Brigade. Their first real action came when the allies set out to liberate Italy from the German forces. Felix and his FSSF band of brothers were tasked with capturing a 3,200-foot-high mountain being controlled by the Nazis.

American and allied forces had tried and failed a number of times and now it was up to the 600 men of “The Black Devils” to get the job done. They scaled the cliffs in the dead of
night, secured positions at the summit without the enemy ever noticing, and after only two hours of battle, took the peak.

Later in 1943, Felix and a small group of fellow brigade members took out multiple Nazi machine nests near Anzio.

The commander of the unit ordered papers be filed to recommend Felix for a Silver Star. The sergeant was killed in action, and as a result, the papers were never filed. The Silver Star, like Felix, were forgotten. However, after being severely wounded in battle weeks later, Felix did receive a Purple Heart.

During all of WWII, the Devil’s Brigade never failed to successfully complete a mission. Of the approximate 2,600 original members, only 248 survived. One was forgotten – Felix Polito. When the survivors returned home after battle, the government and private organizations, maintained lists and records of FSSF soldiers. Felix’s name never made it on any of the lists.

He was never invited to any of the numerous reunions. After Hurricane Katrina, Felix came home to find his Purple Heart – along with many other valuable mementos of his time in the war, gone.

In 2015, the Congress of the United States issued a proclamation awarding their highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to The Devil’s Brigade for their acts of unparalleled heroism and sacrifice.

The 42 known surviving members were invited, all expenses paid, to stand before Congress and accept the honor on behalf of their fallen brothers in arms. But again, one had been forgotten and remained un-honored: Felix Polito.

First Special Service Force Foundation spokesperson John Hart offered a possible explanation for Felix not being included on the survivors list, saying, “There were two Politos on the roster of the brigade, both from the same small town in Louisiana. Both with the same initials, and both of their fathers had the same first name. …

“He would’ve been in Washington with the others to receive the honor he so justly deserves. For a man who’s contributed so much to be so forgotten is a tragedy.”

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Thursday was another busy night for the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section, which arrested six people on drug-related charges, include two accused of possessing heroin.

Two more people were arrested on drug charges by other deputies.

The Narcotics Section reported 10 arrests on the previous Thursday.

St. Mary

Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 51 complaints and made these arrests:

—Logan J. Laviolette, 20, New Iberia, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, stop signs or yield signs, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Bail was set at $30,250.

—Jabrison Kinchen, 29, Patterson, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain penalties and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

—Chauntae Scott, 23, Franklin, was arrested at 6:28 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of cocaine.

Bail was set at $2,000.

—Taylor Murphy, 27, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of heroin.
Bail has not been set.

—Alita Tabb, 21, Baldwin, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of heroin, possession of marijuana and speeding. Bail has not been set.

—Susan Hudson, 51, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:44 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of hydrocodone/acetaminophen, possession of drug paraphernalia and window tint violation. Bail has not been set.

—Donta Polidore, 23, Jeanerette, was arrested at 7:27 p.m. Thursday on charges of turning movements and required signals, driving under suspension, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Bail was set at $25,000.

—Latosha Evette Sophus, 45, Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:44 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, driving under suspension, and turning movements or signals required. Sophus was released on a summons to appear July 19.

—Kendron Deon Bailey, 20, Jeanerette, was arrested at 4:04 p.m. Thursday on warrants alleging failure to appear on a marijuana possession charge and an Iberia Parish warrant alleging domestic abuse battery and criminal damage to property.

Bailey is being held for another agency.

Morgan City

Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 61 calls for service in the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Adrian Brown, 23, Fifth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:19 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging terrorizing.

—Ethan Joseph Landry, 19, Glenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:54 p.m. Thursday on warrants alleging simple burglary, unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and remaining in places after forbidden. Landry was also head on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.

—Alysha M. Carlton, 32, Gen. Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:06 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer (false information). Carlton was also held on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging three counts of failure to comply with drug court and a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear to pay fine.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to five complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:

—Sylvester Coleman, 19, Main Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:07 a.m. Friday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property. Coleman was booked, processed and released on a $1,000 bond.