Sheriff says move means more accountability for court system, law enforcement
The names of every single inmate incarcerated at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center are now online, and includes a feature that automatically notifies residents when a specific inmate is released.
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said that the new service will bring more accountability by judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers by allowing residents to track what happens to those that have committed crimes.
“Judges can legally reduce the bonds or bail of inmates without a hearing,” Champagne said. “Perhaps this will make them be a little extra careful when they choose to do so. The public and victims need, and are entitled to know what happens to these perpetrators in the criminal justice system.”
The jail roster can be found by visiting www.stcharlessheriff.org and clicking the roster link on the left side of the page. This will give a complete, alphabetical list of all inmates housed at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center.
“Further, if you are a victim of a particular inmate or have a particular interest in an inmate and wish to be notified in the event of his or her release, you can register to receiver an anonymous email or recorded telephone call advising you of this information,” Champagne said. “It is especially important to those who have been the victim of a violent crime where the victim’s fear of revenge and retaliation is high.
“Finding out when a perp is released can help them protect themselves and their families.”
Champagne said that he has wanted the complete jail roster available online for sometime now, but that a system to do so only recently became available.
The Louisiana Automated Victims Notification System interfaces with the Sheriff’s Office’s computer booking and release information. The information is then posted to the Web site and is updated automatically.
“I am also anxious for us to be able to provide more information in the future as to exactly what charges have been filed, what the bond is for the offender and whether it has been reduced without notice to victims,” he said.
Roughly half of the 500 inmates that are held at the jail are housed for the Louisiana Department of Corrections or the U.S. Marshalls Service.
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