New Orleans juvenile detention center's lawsuit receives class action status
by The Associated Press
Wednesday February 04, 2009, 12:13 PM

NEW ORLEANS -- A lawsuit filed on behalf of juveniles awaiting trial at the New Orleans juvenile detention center has been certified as a class action by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle issued his ruling following a hearing on Wednesday.

The lawsuit, filed by the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, is against Richard Winder, the head of the city's Department of Human Services, and facility leaders. The group claims Winder and others have allowed inhumane conditions to continue despite mediation to avoid litigation.

The plaintiffs' lawyers claim the facility has rats and mold, lacks adequate educational services and trained staff and keeps young people in their cells for at least 20 hours a day.

The center houses an average of 33 people a day.