Terrebonne inmate hangs self

A Houma man serving a six-year drug sentence hanged himself Monday afternoon, according to a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

At approximately 2:05 p.m. Monday, detectives were called to the third floor of the Courthouse Annex because an inmate had been found dead, said Capt. Malcolm Wolfe. Department trusty dorms are located on the third floor. Detectives arrived within minutes, he said.

Correctional officers reportedly found Joel Chaisson, 43, hanging by a string in the trusty dorm’s bathroom area, Wolfe said. After cutting the string, detectives were unable to locate a pulse. Medics with Acadian Ambulance, who arrived shortly afterward, were also unable to resuscitate Chaisson.

Wolfe said Chaisson was last seen alive in the dorm area around 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The Houma man was serving a six-year sentence for a distribution of CDS II conviction, Wolfe said. The spokesman said Chaisson’s criminal history dates back to 1983.

Prior to his incarceration, Chaisson resided at 350 Morrison Ave.