Opinion
NO. 2018 CW 1237
12-26-2018
ALBERT WOOLENS v. UNKNOWN DEPUTY #1, UNKNOWN DEPUTY #2, SHERIFF JERRY J. LARPENTER EX OFFICIO AS THE TERREBONNE PARISH SHERIFF
In Re: Albert Woolens, applying for supervisory writs, 18th Judicial District Court, Parish of Iberville, No. 77994. BEFORE: GUIDRY, THERIOT, AND PENZATO, JJ.
WRIT GRANTED. The trial court's August 29, 2018 judgment granting defendants', Unknown Deputy #1, Unknown Deputy #2, Sheriff Jerry J. Larpenter, ex officio as the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff, declinatory exception of improper venue is reversed. We find that this matter involves relator's, Woolens, "conditions of confinement or the effects of actions by government officials on the lives of persons confined in prison" pursuant to La. R.S. 15:1181, et seq. A broad interpretation of these provisions has been recognized by this court. See Cheron v. LCS Corrections Services, Inc., 2002-1049 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2/23/04), 872 So.2d 1094, 1104, n.3.; see also La. R.S. 15:1191. Thus, venue for this matter is exclusively determined by La. R.S. 15:1184(F), and the "parish where the prison is situated to which the prisoner was assigned" in this matter is Iberville Parish. The exception of improper venue is denied.
MRT
AHP
JMG
COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT /s/_________
DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT
FOR THE COURT