Four candidates challenging Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson for her job took aim at the incumbent Tuesday night for the troubled jail she runs, including criticisms of her budget practices and the security breaches that led to the escape of 10 inmates in May.

Hutson, embattled by a string of controversies that also includes her office’s mistaken release of a felony defendant last week, defended her term in office in the race's first forum.

She pointed to raises in deputy pay she has shepherded and held her ground during debate over rehabilitation programs for detainees, noting that she added job training for detainees and other education programs.

Hutson’s four opponents had plenty of other ammunition in a two-hour debate before a crowd of nearly 100 in Trinity Hall at Blessed

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