Prisoners of Katrina
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Prisoners of Katrina

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Ratings: 6.67/10 from 30 users.

Prisoners of KatrinaIn the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, while thousands fled New Orleans, the city's prisoners were trapped. Fresh eye-witness accounts reveal what really happened to those left behind, and how crucial forensic evidence was simply washed away. In September 2005, long after most people had fled a devastated city, inmates of Orleans Parish Prison - many of them shackled - were still waiting to be rescued from the blazing heat and the stinking floods.

"They basically abandoned the prison," says Vincent Norman, a chef arrested for an unpaid fine who found himself locked in a cell for days. Norman should have been there no more than a week. Instead, abandoned without food, drink or sanitation as the waters rose, he was in prison for 103 days.

In the days before the hurricane, when other citizens of New Orleans were ordered to leave, city leaders were asked: "What about the prisoners in the jail?" "The prisoners will stay where they belong," replied Marlin Gusman, the criminal sheriff in charge of the city jail. But it was a gamble he would regret.

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Shaun Conerly
Shaun Conerly
1 year ago

I was locked up during hurricane Katrina do we have a class action lawsuit

Matthew Duncan
Matthew Duncan
4 years ago

they are human beings and no one - regardless of guilt - should be left to drown trapped in a room they cannot get out of...what happened was inexcusable and those that were there and sentenced were not sentenced to die. What the hell is wrong with you people? This is all about $ - those who have and those who don't....and if you don't have it, then you are expendable...which means like 99% of us are expendable according to the 1% who have the $ to buy the laws and the people who make them

Ellipsis
Ellipsis
7 years ago

The great crime here is against grammar and spelling. I am appalled.

Michael Wurtz
Michael Wurtz
10 years ago

i think we should just get on a ship and go back to africa,to hell with white america, we should all just go back take our families,that will show them

Justin Harnett
Justin Harnett
11 years ago

not working

Thela Tucker
Thela Tucker
11 years ago

yeh, this is what AMERICA is all about!! The rich white man has found another way to put poor, black or white people DOWN! WAKE UP AMERICA!! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE????

Asher Craig
Asher Craig
11 years ago

Obama is a Bilderbergs Group member through his Campaign Manager James A Johnson look it up on Wikipedia

Jamie19786
Jamie19786
12 years ago

America is not a democracy is not black and white its rich and poor.America is now bankrupt due to wallstreet corruption,illegal wars,illegal occupation,over 150 bases around the world and other reasons like the FED printing money thats not worth the paper its printed on.Corruption is ramped in America and the fact is most people in government deserve jail more than most inmates.As bad as hurrican Katrina was when the dollar collapses its going to look like a picnic.The congress and president are bought and paid for by corperations drug companys and AIPAC.When things do collapes and its not if its when the corrupt polititions and rich will leave the middel class and poor to die a slow death.I pray things will change for the better but its unlikely.It seems planed or how could the government be bankrupt and still fight illegal wars in illegal manners and pay for over 150 bases in the world when the troops should be brought home and the bases closed.The government knows its running on borrowed time and the crash of America will affect the entire world.9/11 and Londons 7/7 were inside jobs I've studyed them for years and am 100000 persent sure of it.Not only are the troops still fighting illegal wars but America planes on invading and fighting more illegal wars to name the ones that are coming at first I thought it would be Iran now most likely Pakistan or Syria then Iran witch Pakistan or Iran and possibly even Syria may lead to WW3 .And also they have a plane to war with China thats backed by Russia just like Iran but probable more so.Its sad to say because many will suffer around the world but less will die if America collapses before the zionist neocons can cause much more harm.This film points to how much the government cares for its people and the fact that when things really hit the fan they will be left to die.Than they may implement a NWO witch is almost forsure planed.We can just hope there are powertfull countrys like Russia China and many others that will not allow it.We live in scary times and all we can do is to best prepare ourselfs for what seems to be the inevitable.Well I could write all night but people are starting to get the big piture.GOD bless Asa Lama Alakem.Hope I spelled that right probably not.Keep your faith and hope life is better in the after life.As for the here and now we all face the same possible end and I belive are all GODs children so stop fighting each other and stand togeather as one.

Jeff
Jeff
12 years ago

I cant help but think too myself, how do men that abused and ignored a system their entire life, then beg that it saves them. This documentary made a point to say "He had not been charged" and "He was in for a $70 fine." The two murders they interviewed where looked at as elder statesmen that helped young inmates. If you think that is not well thought out by the producer, so as too raly ever idiot to their side, then I have some ocean front property in Colorado I would like to sell you. One man rapped someone and another man killed another human being. These men then beg for compassion and rescue in the face of tragedy. Those of you that say how terrible the treatment of these men was, lets see how they would treat you if you happened to come across them on their turf.

Having to listen to a rapist say "I didnt have any food or water", neither did anyone else you piece of trash. The government of New Orleans and the state of Louisana failed the people. When I say people I am talking the children and the innocent citizens that were left to die without a fighting chance. These men had pissed away that chance a long time ago. The Hurricane taught these monsters a valubale lesson "Its sucks when you are a victim", after a lifetime of taking advantage of other people, now they got the chance to feel helpless. Sadly bad things usually only happen to good people, but now we make movies to bring attention to bad things happening to bad people. Oh wait was I supposed to mention something about race?

dadc
dadc
12 years ago

This really has made me want to send a letter to the governor of louisiana...I am not gonna capitalize anyone that hold a government title in that state. The lack of humanity in the voices of those interviewed that were in charge is beyond the pale. I will never visit that state. The way some spoke of the crime rate being slashed as a result of the hurricane just made me ill. I think at some point I am going to have to flat-out stop watching documentaries about the astonishing failures of my country, just to keep my sanity.

I don't want to wish my time away, but when I retire to Europe, my heart will flood with joy as the East coast fades from view. I obviously cannot predict the future, but as things stand today, it is the plan. Either I was totally blind in my younger years, or things have changed radically in my lifetime. Though I know the fog of time seems to make the harsh seem mild, there are fundamental differences, along with more hatefulness between people than I think I ever expected to see. Like anything else, it's likely a combination of both, but my heart weighs heavy with worry for what this world holds for my Kids and Grandkid (singular so far), when I'm no longer here to at least try to ease their burdens. I am disabled, and I worry less for my future, even with all the threatened cuts, because my oldest will be 30 this yr, and my youngest just turned half that, 15...and I repeatedly tell them that after their Mom and I are gone, to hold together, because that is the only true treasure. I just pray this world remains livable for them.

Man I need to watch a comedy.

Tim
Tim
12 years ago

New Orleans wasn't a nice place before Katrina...the storm made it into a dismal sh**hole. Before seeing this documentary, I had no idea the immensity of the suffering that happened. This was shocking information.

darryl
darryl
13 years ago

Americans love to put people in prison for BS. USA is a sespool of greed, and corruption.

Steve
Steve
13 years ago

"It's their fault for breaking the law and being in jail". This ignorant clown is a poster boy for the stereotypical southern white sheriff. It wouldn't be so incredible if this comment was just the result of a corrupt liar looking to find a way to absolve himself of responsibility but I think he's actually dumb enough to believe what he said was logical and correct. I'd like to go to New Orleans but the US south is just too backward, corrupt and bigoted to take a chance on visiting.

alexander scott
alexander scott
13 years ago

I would like to say I was completely shocked by this video, Im a 46 year old married man (White and not that it should matter) with two kids who stays in Glasgow in the uk, This natural disaster should be pointing out to all humans that change however small should always happen to make people change their political and religeous views for the better, ve respected a lot of peoples views on this comment box but feel instead of venting anger against each other in the rat race war, make the small changes in your own mind to make your own life change and if everyone can do that then one day at a time, one community at a time, one town at a time,etc etc I believe a nation can learn to live with itself, believe me we should know...my heart goes out to the people of New Orleans and hope that however long it takes you use this disaster to make the changes in your own individual lives to better your community because without community you have nothing apart from more heartache on the way, By that I dont just mean in NO but everywhere in this godforsaken planet.

Peace out

Whitt23
Whitt23
13 years ago

@ Fly Poster Your statement acts like Whites invented slavery?I want you to know that the slaves in question from Early America were traded to the white man for plates and jewelery.Their tribe masters or chiefs gave his people away for gifts from the white man.Egyptians,Romans,many more used slaves before the white man.My heritage is American Indian and i don't bitch about the raping and slaughtering of my ancestors.The casinos we were given is helping ALOT lol.Racism will not end because neither side will drop it already.Media cant let it rest...probably 90% of the comments i read have something to do with race on them. If there wasn't suppose to be a winner then why call it "race"?

Whitt23
Whitt23
13 years ago

@ tracy Did you vote for Obama just because hes black?Sounds like you voted Obama for bragging rights.Thanks to you he is in the White House.Hasnt done a damn thing he promised us yet either.Change? yes but for the worst,but we do indeed have a partical black president.Not sure why you feel you should brag about voting because he was black?Im guessing your middle aged white women from your remarks.Maybe if your lucky your daughter will have a black man taking her to her prom!!!/Crosses my fingers for you!

GrantStret
GrantStret
13 years ago

What is really scary is that while the USA is home to around 5% of the world population, we are home to around 20% of the worlds prisoners. This leaves the potential for tragedies like this very high. The USA is very much a "prison state" and does not take care of its prisoners.

Juancho
Juancho
13 years ago

In the middle of a natural (or unnatural) disaster ... there is a mass panic, and the last people anyone wants to worry about is the prison population. As terrible as that sounds it's true, people look out for themselves, and whatever government is still functioning will be concentrating on the civilian population. What happened to these prisoners is absolutely terrifying and wrong ... and it's a foreshadowing of what would happen in ANY town when communications break down and there's a life-threatening disaster.

Just goes to show, the most powerful country in the world, and we can take care of our own when things get panicky.

Interesting documentary, I wish there were another Doc on Katrina here that didnt focus on the prison, I'd like to see EVERYTHING that went on. Spike Lee's would be excellent to see but it's preview only. :(

esmuziq
esmuziq
13 years ago

i can't believe this man
how can a systhem that says it is the most powerfull one in the world
allow things like this to happen ?

Anthony
Anthony
13 years ago

@ tim, racism still exist because it makes for good ratings and gives mor*** like Jessie Jackson and other ilk like him something to profit from. While slavery has seemingly been abolished, serfdom hasn't.

tim
tim
13 years ago

Just get over it already!!! Slavery has been abolished. I am white, not a caucasian American, cracker, etc. Same goes for blacks, they are not African Americans, niggers, etc. I am white, they are black. We are all equal. The only thing that determines we are not equal is each and everyone of our foolish behaviors. I know white trash, black trash, yellow trash, etc. Heck, I am getting to the point that I even see green alien trash, lol. With that said, why can't all races grow up? I have.

Alexandrea
Alexandrea
13 years ago

Ughh, sick! God Bless This Country.

Fly Poster
Fly Poster
13 years ago

Tracy, the problem with what you say is that white people rarely if ever, have been oppressed by black people. in a similar way, men have rarely if ever, been oppressed by women. Racism is a system where one group of people of a race oppress and exploit another group. Throughout history Black people (as well as other races) have been forced into slavery, and denied basic human rights, and have been subjected to horrific violence.. Racism and oppression still exist in America even with a black president.

Should that oppressed race rally behind the slogan "black power" it is in the spirit of emancipation and equality.

White power groups tend to be in the spirit of ethnic clensing, oppression, apartheit. and national socialism.

Bluesmanwalking
Bluesmanwalking
13 years ago

By the way i'm Canadian in Canada, so maybe we see things differently with Blacks here.

Bluesmanwalking
Bluesmanwalking
13 years ago

@Tracy, i'm not sure i understand what you mean but in any case it wasn't meant to be a negative comment on Blacks from my part. Actually, I've had 2 Black business partners, and my children's Godparents are Black. This comment, I must have poorly expressed it. This conversation came up during our monthly poker game with some Black friends. "When The Levees Broke" here on TDC might express better.

tracy
tracy
13 years ago

@bluesman - some of what you said actually made good sense. But try this, everywhere you typed BLACK go back and type WHITE and vise-versa. Would that not be considered, (dare I say) racist? I guess if that's what you're going for you've made your point. Thanks to voters like myself we have a black president and I'll assume that you are aware of this.

Bluesmanwalking
Bluesmanwalking
14 years ago

i'm curious if other courts in the country with a potential water disaster have moved their evidence room to a top floor ??? And maybe consider using laptops & tablets & scanners, do they know what these are down there ???
There's a saying that goes "Always try to do a good thing out of a bad thing" or something like that.
New Orleans could be the perfect example of accomplishment of the Black Men in the US. I think this is exactly what could rebuild the confidence and pride of the Black Men in the US. It should be rebuilt by them and only them, in store strong values, tight secure and safe neighborhoods. I see no reason why every Black Men shouldn't have a job regardless if they have a lack of experience. This is the perfect opportunity the learn a trade, to create small businesses, etc.
Hey you millionaire rappers why don't you pitch in instead of buying another Cadillac Escalade.
And most importantly, do not have a white men representing the city, the police force or the state. Then maybe you stand a chance to not have liquor stores at every street corner in your neighborhood to destroy you. I think that's what Spike Lee and Dr King was expressing more then once.
Peace & Black Power !

personal trainer austin
personal trainer austin
14 years ago

Interesting film. New Orleans = gross incompetancy.