During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Orleans Parish Prison (OPP) faced significant scrutiny for its handling of inmates during the disaster. According to reports and investigations conducted by organizations like Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, there were 517 inmates unaccounted for after the hurricane. These figures were based on comparing lists of inmates held at OPP before the storm with those who were evacuated and accounted for afterward.

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The exact fate of these unaccounted for individuals remains unclear due to the chaos of the disaster and the subsequent breakdown in administrative processes. However, the situation at OPP highlighted serious issues regarding the evacuation plans, the treatment of inmates during natural disasters, and the accountability of correctional facilities in such emergencies. The reports detailed horrific conditions inside the prison, including inmates being left in flooded cells without adequate food, water, or medical attention, which underscores the severity of the oversight and neglect during this period.

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This incident led to calls for investigations into the conduct of the Orleans Sheriff's Department and broader discussions on the rights and safety of incarcerated individuals during emergencies. Despite these efforts, the specific details of what happened to each of the 517 unaccounted for inmates have not been fully resolved, leaving a gap in the understanding of the full impact of Hurricane Katrina on the prison population of New Orleans.