Author(s)

Kashley Brown, Sharonda Hatter, Constance Hester-Davis, Mackisha Brumant, Pearl Wise, Alexus Angrum, Andra Richards, Shurunda Thrower

Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA, USA.

Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, was one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in United States history (George W. Bush Presidential Library, n.d.). The disaster led to widespread criticism of the local, state, and federal responses, particularly regarding crisis management by law enforcement and correctional facilities. This paper provides a neutral analysis of the roles and challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities during Hurricane Katrina, drawing from various reports and studies as it attempts to convey the vulnerability of inmates and law enforcement/correctional staff, the changes, and the absence of critical incident preparation and newly employed policies. Law enforcement agencies faced significant challenges, such as maintaining public order, ensuring public safety, and coordinating evacuation efforts. The unprecedented scale of the disaster overwhelmed many agencies, leading to widespread criticism of their preparedness and response effectiveness.

Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane, Natural Disaster, Law Enforcement, Prison, Inmates, Preparedness, Corrections, Vulnerable

Brown, K. , Hatter, S. , Hester-Davis, C. , Brumant, M. , Wise, P. , Angrum, A. , Richards, A. and Thrower, S. (2025) A Neutral Analysis of Law Enforcement Preparedness and Responses to Inmates during Hurricane Katrina. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 13, 460-473. doi: 10.4236/jss.2025.134027.