The Water Was Rising and the Cell Door Was Locked

Terry was caught in the rising waters of Hurricane Katrina with no chance of escaping. As the water rose from his feet to his waist and then over his head, he recalls his and other's reactions and his eventual resignation that his death would be so ignoble.

On this, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Terry's experience reminds New Orleanians of our profoundly personal relationship with our levees — a relationship based on a primal fear of drowning.

For in-depth reports on the flooding at Orleans Parish Prison, go to:

• "Abandoned & Abused": The ACLU's National Prison Project Report on Orleans Parish Prison
• ACLU Report: "Prison Conditions and Prisoner Abuse After Katrina"
• ACLU Update: "Broken Promises: Two Years After Katrina"

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