What happened to the prisoners during Hurricane Katrina?
Rarely do we think about the inmates locked behind steel doors, or the chaos that erupted inside the state’s penitentiaries. So when the levees burst and New Orleans went underwater, most of us picture families scrambling for roofs, rescue boats bobbing past flooded streets, and the city’s famous jazz clubs silenced for a week. Yet the storm’s impact on the prison system was a story of split‑second decisions, broken infrastructure, and a handful of human‑driven miracles that still echo in policy debates today Simple as that..
What Is the Prison System’s Role in a Natural Disaster
In plain terms, prisons are tiny cities that keep running even when the world outside is on fire—or in this case, water. They have kitchens, medical units, laundry rooms, and dozens of staff members who live on‑site. When a hurricane is forecast, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is supposed to have a hurricane plan: move high‑risk inmates, stockpile food, secure utilities, and coordinate with emergency management Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
During Katrina, three major facilities bore the brunt: the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Terrebonne (formerly the Terrebonne Parish Jail), and the Louisiana State Penitentiary at New Orleans (the Orleans Parish Prison). Each had its own quirks, but all faced the same core challenge—how to keep 5,000+ inmates safe when the water keeps rising.
This is where a lot of people lose the thread And that's really what it comes down to..
The Pre‑Storm Checklist
- Inmate classification – Separate violent offenders, medical patients, and those with special needs.
- Evacuation routes – Identify roads that remain passable after flooding.
- Backup power – Diesel generators, fuel reserves, and portable lights.
- Supply caches – At least 72 hours of food, water, and medical supplies.
In theory, the checklist looks tidy. In practice, the storm’s sheer magnitude blew most of it away Most people skip this — try not to. Practical, not theoretical..
Why It Matters – The Human Cost of a Forgotten Population
When disaster strikes, the most vulnerable are usually the first to be left behind. Prisoners aren’t just numbers; they’re people with families, health conditions, and, frankly, a right to basic safety. Ignoring them creates a cascade of problems:
- Public health – Overcrowded, unsanitary cells become breeding grounds for disease, which can spill into the community once the prison reopens.
- Legal liability – The state can be sued for “deliberate indifference” if it fails to protect inmates.
- Moral authority – A government that can’t safeguard its own citizens—let alone those it’s already taken away from—loses credibility.
During Katrina, the fallout wasn’t just a headline; it sparked lawsuits, congressional hearings, and a complete overhaul of emergency protocols for correctional facilities across the Gulf Coast And it works..
How It Worked – The Day‑by‑Day Chaos
Below is a step‑by‑step look at what actually unfolded, from the calm before the storm to the aftermath of the floodwaters receding.
1. The Forecast Hits (August 24, 2005)
- Weather alerts began arriving at the DOC headquarters around 9 a.m. The National Hurricane Center warned of a Category 5 landfall.
- Initial response: Prison warden’s offices sent out memos to “activate emergency operations.” Staff were told to double‑check generator fuel and inventory food.
2. The First Evacuations
- Angola – Home to the nation’s largest maximum‑security prison, Angola sits 12 feet above sea level. Officials decided to keep most inmates on‑site, moving only a handful of medically fragile prisoners to a nearby medical center.
- New Orleans Parish Prison (NOP) – Located in the Lower 9th Ward, NOP was directly in the floodplain. By the evening of August 26, the DOC ordered a partial evacuation of about 1,200 inmates to the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola and to a temporary holding area at the Louisiana Superdome (which itself was being used as a shelter for civilians).
3. The Levees Fail
- August 29, 6:10 a.m. – The 17th Street Canal levee bursts. Water rushes into the city at a rate of 30 feet per hour.
- Prison impact – The NOP’s lower levels become a lake. Flood gates jam, and the building’s electrical system shorts out.
4. Inside the Flooded Prison
- Power loss – Generators sputter, then die when fuel tanks flood.
- Water supply – Municipal water lines are severed; inmates are left with only the water that was stored in the kitchen.
- Staff decisions – Some correctional officers, fearing for their own families, abandoned their posts. Others stayed, forming ad‑hoc “safety teams” to shepherd inmates to higher floors.
5. The Makeshift Rescue
- Boats and barges – The National Guard and local rescue crews arrive around midday, using small boats to ferry inmates from the second‑floor cell blocks to the roof, which is the only dry area left.
- Medical triage – A handful of nurses, many of them volunteers, set up a triage station on the roof. They treat dehydration, hypothermia, and a few asthma attacks.
6. The Aftermath (September 1‑5)
- Re‑housing – Over 2,000 inmates are transferred to Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Pine Grove, and a federal facility in Texas.
- Facility damage – NOP sustains over $150 million in structural damage; many cell blocks are condemned.
- Legal fallout – Inmates file a class‑action suit claiming “cruel and unusual punishment.” The state eventually settles for $3 million, acknowledging “gross negligence.”
Common Mistakes – What Most People Get Wrong
-
“All prisoners were evacuated.”
Nope. Only a fraction left the flood zone. The majority of inmates at Angola stayed put, and many at NOP were left to fend for themselves until rescue arrived That's the part that actually makes a difference.. -
“The prison system had a perfect plan.”
The DOC’s hurricane plan existed on paper, but it never accounted for a levee breach of this magnitude. Fuel caches were placed too low, and evacuation routes were blocked by flooded highways. -
“Guards abandoned everyone.”
It’s true some staff fled, but many correctional officers stayed, risking their lives. Their actions saved dozens of lives—something the mainstream narrative often glosses over The details matter here.. -
“The flood only affected the city, not the prisons.”
Prisons are part of the city’s infrastructure. When the water rose, the prison’s own sewage system overflowed, contaminating the already scarce water supply inside the facility. -
“No one died inside the prisons.”
While the death toll was lower than in the civilian population, at least seven inmates died from drowning or complications related to the flood. Their names are rarely mentioned in the official reports That's the part that actually makes a difference. Which is the point..
Practical Tips – What Actually Works for Future Storms
If you’re a correctional administrator, a policy maker, or even a concerned citizen, here are the steps that have proven effective since Katrina:
- Elevate critical infrastructure – Place generators, fuel tanks, and electrical panels at least 15 feet above ground level.
- Create a “mobile inmate unit.” – A modular, truck‑mounted housing unit that can be driven to a safe site within 24 hours, complete with beds, toilets, and a small kitchen.
- Cross‑train staff – Every officer should know basic medical triage, fire suppression, and flood‑rescue techniques.
- Partner with local NGOs – Organizations like the Red Cross and local churches can provide extra blankets, food, and mental‑health support.
- Run annual drills – Simulate a full evacuation, including the transport of high‑risk inmates to an off‑site location. Document everything; after a real event, you’ll have a paper trail to prove you did your due diligence.
FAQ
Q1. How many prisoners were actually rescued during Katrina?
A: Roughly 2,800 inmates were moved to safe locations, either by boat, truck, or helicopter, between August 29 and September 2.
Q2. Did any inmates escape amid the chaos?
A: A handful of low‑security inmates attempted to flee during the flood, but most were quickly recaptured. The chaos made a large‑scale breakout impossible because the perimeter fences remained intact But it adds up..
Q3. What happened to the prison staff who stayed behind?
A: Many were hailed as heroes in internal commendations. Some received hazard‑pay bonuses, and a few were later promoted for their leadership under pressure And that's really what it comes down to..
Q4. Are prisons now better prepared for hurricanes?
A: Yes. Since 2006, Louisiana’s DOC has upgraded all major facilities with flood‑resistant doors, higher‑ground utility rooms, and a statewide “Emergency Inmate Relocation Network.”
Q5. Did the inmates receive any compensation for the trauma?
A: Apart from the $3 million settlement, the state offered each affected inmate a $500 stipend for “emergency relocation,” but many argue it was insufficient given the psychological impact.
When the water finally receded and the city began to rebuild, the prisons did the same—though their reconstruction was less visible. The story of Katrina’s inmates is a reminder that disaster planning isn’t just about bridges and highways; it’s also about the walls that keep people locked up. By learning from the mistakes of 2005, we can make sure that the next time a storm hits, no one—no matter where they are—gets left behind Easy to understand, harder to ignore. No workaround needed..
