The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana, accusing its prison system of routinely holding individuals past their release dates. The lawsuit follows a multiyear investigation that revealed a pattern of 'systemic overdetention' that violates inmates' rights and costs taxpayers millions of dollars annually.
According to the DOJ, more than 25% of individuals scheduled for release from Louisiana prisons since 2012 have been unlawfully detained beyond their release dates. Despite warnings from federal officials last year, the state's efforts to address the issue were deemed inadequate, showing a deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of incarcerated individuals.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that the right to individual liberty includes being released from incarceration on time as ordered by the court. Failure to do so not only infringes on individual liberty but also undermines public trust in the fair application of laws.
In response, Louisiana Governor and Attorney General attributed the problem to past criminal justice reforms, stating that recent actions have been taken to enhance public safety and uphold the constitutional rights of citizens. They criticized the lawsuit as a last-minute effort by the outgoing administration, suggesting that the incoming administration would not have pursued legal action.
Advocates have long raised concerns about conditions in Louisiana's prison system, including the notorious Angola maximum-security prison where inmates work in harsh conditions reminiscent of a former slave plantation.
