Orleans Parish Prison System Continues to Rebuild with Help from FEMA
Release Date: January 18, 2007
Release Number: 1603-597
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Several months after obligating funds for the construction of a temporary jail facility in Orleans Parish, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness announced an additional $2.28 million for repairs to the permanent facility.
The Criminal Justice, Corrections and Public Safety Complex, located at Tulane and Broad St., comprises several buildings that housed more than 7,600 inmates before the storm. Money recently obligated reimburses the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office for repairs to heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and fire suppression systems. In addition, items such as cell doors and locks, aluminum doors, ductwork, circuit breaker boards, fire detection and security systems were replaced.
“When Hurricane Katrina hit, the prisons were immediately evacuated and prisoners relocated to other facilities,” said Jim Stark, director of FEMA’s Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. “FEMA funds have now been obligated not only for temporary housing of those inmates, but for permanent repairs that are still in progress.”
The money obligated is part of a package of more than $48 million to the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, part of which was used for mold remediation services to the permanent facility in the months after the disaster and for the construction of the temporary facility that currently houses over 800 inmates.
When projects are obligated by FEMA, the funds are transferred to the state. This allows the state to draw down the monies and distribute them to the local applicants. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursals are made.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government buildings, roads and bridges, schools, water and sewer plants, recreational facilities owned by government agencies, some facilities owned by nonprofit agencies and other publicly owned facilities. FEMA can set aside money to bring each project back to its pre-disaster function and capacity, and the state distributes the money. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Jan-2007 05:35:34