[StBernard] St. Bernard lawyer is new Lafourche Parish warden

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard lawyer is new Lafourche Parish warden

Raymond Legendre
Staff Writer


Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. 
Last Modified: Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. 
THIBODAUX - After a nearly six-month search for a new jail warden, Lafourche
Parish Sheriff's officials have selected a St. Bernard Parish attorney with
an extensive background in corrections and law-enforcement management to
supervise the outdated facility and lead the push for a new one. 

Alan Abadie, 61, was chosen over two candidates from within the Lafourche
department - Lt. Cortrell Davis, the jail's assistant warden, and Lt.
Michael LeClair, the assistant commander for the work-release program - to
replace Capt. Eddie Rodrigue, who retired in April. 

Abadie most recently served as executive counsel to then-St. Bernard Parish
President Henry "Junior" Rodriguez, also worked from 1979 to 1981 as that
parish's jail warden and as police chief for Loyola University in New
Orleans. 

Though he has not yet set foot inside the Lafourche jail, which an
independent study earlier this year classified as one of the worst in the
nation, Abadie noted its chief problem - overcrowding - was also an issue
when he ran the St. Bernard jail. 

"This is a challenge, but it's a challenge everyone in this department
recognizes and wants to solve," said Abadie, who begins his new job Oct. 27.
"It's good to go in with a common vision. I feel like I have a chance to go
in and make an impact for the betterment of Lafourche Parish."

His priority is to investigate ways to make a new jail a reality.

The Lafourche Parish Council has established a committee to determine
whether to build a new jail or add on to the existing one. This year's
storms have slowed that process.

Abadie said he has clear ideas of the priorities that must be examined as
the parish moves forward.

"The biggest practical challenge is finding the funding and finding the
land," Abadie said. "So the parish does not face liabilities for jail
conditions, something has to start immediately."

Abadie's experience, coupled with his law degree from Loyola and master's
degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University, made
him the right choice, Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre said.

"When Mr. Abadie responded to the opening . looking at his background, his
knowledge and his expertise . it kind of fell together," Webre said. 

The sheriff added Abadie made it clear during his Oct. 3 interview with
officials he planned to retire within five years.

That opens the door for Davis, who Webre, his officials and Abadie have said
is the future warden. Before Davis assumes the position, Webre noted he
would like to see him finish his bachelor's degree - he is currently a
junior at Nicholls State University - get more involved in state and
national corrections organizations and tour other jail facilities.

"This is a transition position for Cortrell and Alan," Webre said. "Alan's
going to come in and be the warden. He's going to mentor Cortrell to further
move him forward with his skill set."

Webre estimated it could take Davis between 18 and 36 months to finish his
degree and tour other jail facilities for the purpose of using what he
learns to improve the Lafourche jail.