About Us
Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman has a record of accomplishment...
Twice elected Criminal Sheriff and recently elected to the newly created Office of Sheriff for the Parish of Orleans, Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman is responsible for the care, custody and control of inmates at one of the urban correctional facilities in the United States. In addition to caring for approximately 3,500 inmates each day, the Sheriff is the Executive Officer for the Criminal and Civil Courts in New Orleans, where he is responsible for the service of subpoenas, courtroom security, and the executory process.
Sheriff Gusman is a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI). He is a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and serves on its Crime Victims Services Committee. He is also a member of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA); the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the American Correctional Association (ACA) where he also serves on its Adult Local Detention Committee. Sheriff Gusman is also a member of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
Following his graduation from Jesuit High School, Sheriff Gusman attended the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Sciences. He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1984. He successfully completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Sheriff Gusman has been praised for his accomplishments during Katrina and for the reforms made at Orleans Parish Prison. Sheriff Gusman is an advocate for rehabilitation and education as a way to break the cycle of crime and violence among young people in New Orleans. He has instituted a Day Reporting Center for probation/parole violators; a regional re-entry program to reduce recidivisms; education dorms and learning centers in the facilities.
Prior to his election as Sheriff, he served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the highest appointed city official and chief financial officer, of the City of New Orleans in the administration of Mayor Marc H. Morial. In his first bid for public office in 2000, he was elected to fill the City Council District “D” seat, and he was re-elected in 2002. While on the City Council, he served as Chairman of the Council’s Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee, and the Governmental Affairs Committee; as well as a member of the City Park Improvement Association and the Sewerage & Water Board.
He is a member and past President of the Regional Loan Corporation, a member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee, and on the Board for Longue Vue House & Garden, YMCA and several other local organizations.
Sheriff Gusman and his wife, Renee, are the proud parents of Robin (Christian) Gusman Rhodes and Marlin N. Gusman, Jr. and grandparents of Claiborne Jeanminette Rhodes.
Programs for Public Benefit
Harmony House
The OPSO Harmony House addresses the needs of parent, child, the courts, and the communities of New Orleans and the surrounding metropolitan areas by providing a safe, supportive environment for Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchanges with equal regard for parent and child safety.
Young Marines
The OPSO chapter of the Young Marines is in partnership with the national Young Marines program. Youth under the age of 18 enroll for drill, games, field trips, and education.
West Bank Major Crime Taskforce
Deputies assigned to this task force focusing on major crimes and narcotics enforcement on the West Bank.
United States Marshalls Task Force
OPSO also participates in US Marshall task force activities, focusing on the apprehension of violent criminals in the Greater New Orleans Area and monitors registered sex offenders in Orleans Parish.
The Great Body Shop
The Great Body Shop program is a school-based program which covers drug prevention, health, bullying, emergency situations, nutrition, and other topics for youth from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Materials and training are available from OPSO.
Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman’s Supervised Visitation Center
This program is in partnership with Harmony House and provides non-custodial parents a safe drop-off and/or visitation area.
Juvenile Curfew Center
OPSO maintains the Orleans Parish Juvenile Curfew Center in conjunction with the New Orleans Police Department. Youth under the age of 18 are brought to the facility when they violate City of New Orleans curfew laws and are held in a non-secure environment until a parent or guardian arrives for them.
Elderly Victim Assistance and Victim’s Assistance
This program is in partnership with the State of Louisiana Victims Assistance Board and provides limited funding and assistance to elderly or non-elderly victims of crime.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
DARE is a school-based drug awareness and prevention program for youth. OPSO’s main focus is sixth graders through high-school.
Criminal Patrols
This program focuses on outstanding warrants for violent crimes. Persons wanted for violent crimes are targeted and arrested for public safety. This program is grant funded in partnership with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and focuses on proactive crime prevention in high crime areas and the apprehension of wanted fugitives.
Programs for Inmates
Warren McDaniels Transitional Workforce Center
Department of Corrections inmates who have eighteen months or less and a suitable record can end their sentence in the work release program at the Warren McDaniels Transitional Workforce Facility.
Re-Entry
This program is in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and provides job training, counseling, and drug treatment services to DOC inmates who are within nine months of release.
Narcotics Anonymous
This program is available to inmates in Conchetta, the South White Street Female Facility and the Warren McDaniels Transitional Workforce Center and will be expanding to other buildings as additional volunteers are gained.
Low Literacy to GED Educational Services
These services are provided by our educational partners, the Orleans Parish Public Schools’ Alternative Learning Institute (South White Street Female Facility, juveniles held as adults, House of Detention, and Orleans Parish Prison)...
Intensive Incarceration
This program is in partnership with the Louisiana Commission for Law Enforcement and will shortly be introduced at the South White Street Female Facility. Female inmates will receive intensive drug treatment counseling and educational services.
HIV Counseling and Testing
This program is in partnership with the Office of Public Health. All incoming arrestees are offered HIV testing upon arrival. A trained nurse is on hand to counsel the patient on the results. As a matter of course, arrestees...
GED Testing Center
OPSO is a State of Louisiana Department of Education certified GED testing facility. We give a monthly GED test for the public, and test inmate students within secure facilities approximately every two months or as students are ready.
Electronic Monitoring Program
This program is in partnership with the City of New Orleans and the Crime Coalition. At the discretion of the courts, bonded, sentenced inmates are fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet...
Day Reporting Center
The Day Reporting Center is a collaborative agreement between the New Orleans Sheriff Office and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. The New Orleans Day Reporting Center program strives...
Community Service
Inmates who are considered low risk and who wish to work for the public good are assigned to Community Service, where they perform a number of civic tasks. The Community Service Division also works in partnership with...
Alcoholics Anonymous
This program is available to inmates in the House of Detention and the Warren McDaniels Transitional Workforce Center and will be expanding to other buildings as additional volunteers are gained. There is also a group...