Gina Quincy, a licensed practical nurse, has filed a civil rights complaint against Susan Hutson, the Sheriff of Orleans Parish, and two unnamed deputies. The complaint was filed on May 22, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Quincy alleges that she was attacked by an inmate due to the defendants' failure to maintain proper safety protocols and staffing levels at the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) and/or Orleans Parish Prison (OPP).
According to the court documents, Quincy was working in the Internal Processing Center (IPC) of OJC on May 25, 2023, when she was assaulted by August Joseph Jones, an inmate with a history of violent behavior. The complaint details how Jones entered a restricted area designated for medical staff only and attacked Quincy. She claims that there were no deputies present to assist her during the attack, which lasted several minutes until other deputies intervened.
Quincy asserts that the conditions at OJC/OPP pose a substantial risk of serious harm to both personnel and inmates due to inadequate staffing and poor enforcement of safety protocols. She cites previous complaints, lawsuits, and a 2009 findings letter from the United States Department of Justice as evidence that Sheriff Hutson and her deputies were aware of these issues but failed to take corrective action. The complaint also references a consent judgment from June 6, 2013, which outlined mandatory procedures to address these risks.
The plaintiff argues that the defendants' deliberate indifference to these known dangers directly resulted in her attack. She accuses Sheriff Hutson of failing to implement adequate security measures and training programs for deputies. Additionally, Quincy contends that the unnamed deputies were negligent in their duties by not monitoring inmate movements properly.
As a result of the attack, Quincy suffered physical injuries including severe damage to her neck, back, left shoulder, and dental injuries. She also experiences ongoing emotional distress and psychological trauma from the incident. The complaint states that Quincy's Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated due to governmental action or inaction.
Quincy is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for her injuries and suffering. She also requests reasonable attorneys' fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 and other applicable laws. Furthermore, she demands that all costs associated with these proceedings be borne by the defendants.
The case is being handled by John J. Finckbeiner Jr., Quincy's attorney based in Chalmette, Louisiana. The presiding judge is yet to be named.