Updated

A federal court hearing is set to resume Thursday on whether operation of New Orleans' notoriously dangerous jail should be turned over to an independent third party.

That would strip Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman of one of his major duties.

On Wednesday, a court-appointed monitor said Gusman's staff lacks expertise and knowledge needed to run the jail.

A mental health expert, Dr. Raymond Patterson, also said conditions that led to the suicide of an inmate earlier this year haven't been completely remedied. Patterson returns to the stand Thursday.

The Justice Department and inmate advocates say Gusman has failed to implement an agreement for reforms approved in 2013.

Gusman says progress has been made. He blames a lack of funding from the city for many of the jail's problems.