Tellis v. LeBlanc

DWCC houses hundreds of prisoners in “extended lockdown” cells for months on end. This confines an individual in a cell for 23-24 hours per day with little to no human contact. DWCC policy forbids any interaction between prisoners and, due to the layout of the facility, prisoners cannot even see into the other cells. The prolonged confinement and sensory deprivation causes and exacerbates serious mental illness.

On July 20, 2017, a federal lawsuit was filed in response to DOC.

The MacArthur Justice Center of New Orleans and the Advocacy Center of Louisiana are designated as the statewide protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities. The state Department of Corrections and David Wade Correctional Center obstructed the federally-mandated investigation, including severely limiting access to the facility, prohibiting contact with inmates who cried out for help, and now allowing any private conversations or documents passed between attorney and inmate.

The lawsuit asked for a temporary restraining order to fulfill its mandate, enforcing full access to carry out the investigation and speak with prisoners, including access to provide information and receive documentation.