Orleans Parish Jail Talks Stall Over Money

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Although negotiators agree on how to improve conditions at Orleans Parish jail, talks have broken down because the city and Sheriff Marlin Gusman cannot agree on the cost of starting improvements.

Attorneys for inmates and the U.S. Department of Justice want U.S. District Judge Lance Africk to decide interim funding.

The Justice Department and the Southern Poverty Law Center made the request in a notice Friday.

The Times-Picayune reports that they say violence is continuing at the jail and "another disaster" is certain unless that is dealt with and the jail's staff is increased.

WWL-TV reports that any differences between the interim and final budget would be resolved by a payment to or from the city.