The U.S. Department of Justice takes aim at Louisiana’s prison system, alleging routine detention of inmates beyond their release dates.
At a Glance
- DOJ sues Louisiana for systematically overdetaining prisoners past their release dates.
- Over 25% of inmates due for release have been held beyond their release dates since 2012, according to the allegations.
- In 2022, overdetained inmates were allegedly held an average of 29 days past their release date
- The lawsuit says overdetention costs Louisiana taxpayers over $2.5 million annually.
- Louisiana officials criticize the lawsuit as politically motivated.
DOJ Launches Legal Action Against Louisiana’s Prison System
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana’s prison system, accusing it of routinely detaining inmates beyond their designated release dates. This legal action follows a multi-year investigation into allegations of systemic overdetention practices that have plagued the state’s correctional facilities for over a decade.
The lawsuit alleges that since at least 2012, more than a quarter of inmates due for release have been held past their release dates. The DOJ’s investigation revealed that in 2022 alone, over 25% of released inmates were detained too long, with an average overdetention of 29 days. This alleged practice not only violates inmates’ constitutional rights but also imposes an unnecessary financial burden on Louisiana taxpayers.
Louisiana's prison system routinely holds people long after their sentences end in a pattern of “systemic overdetention” that violates inmates’ rights and costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges. https://t.co/pvcWmxZ8Kb
— KYW Newsradio – NOW ON 103.9 FM! (@KYWNewsradio) December 23, 2024
Constitutional Violations and Financial Burden
The DOJ’s lawsuit emphasizes the fundamental right to individual liberty, including the right to be released from incarceration on time. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stressed the importance of this issue, stating:
“Every person in the United States, whether incarcerated or otherwise, enjoys certain fundamental rights, Foremost among them is the right to individual liberty. The Founders were keenly aware of the potential abuse of power when the government can arbitrarily take away a person’s freedom without a lawful court order specifying the period of their confinement.”
The financial implications of this practice are significant. Reports indicate that overdetention costs Louisiana more than $2.5 million annually due to payments to local jails. The DOJ is seeking “injunctive relief” rather than monetary damages to address these ongoing issues and compel necessary changes to halt these illegal practices.
Louisiana’s Response and Ongoing Challenges
Louisiana officials, including Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, have criticized the lawsuit, describing it as politically motivated. In a joint statement, they referred to the legal action as, “Grinch Joe Biden’s parting Christmas present to the State and people of Louisiana.”
Despite these criticisms, the state’s corrections department has acknowledged the need for improvements. They are implementing a statewide electronic document upload portal to streamline the release process. However, a report by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found the department’s review process for release dates to be inadequate, a finding disputed by the department.
Broader Implications for Justice and Liberty
The DOJ’s lawsuit against Louisiana’s prison system highlights broader concerns about individual liberty and public confidence in the justice system. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized:
“To incarcerate people indefinitely, as LDOC does here, not only intrudes on individual liberty, but also erodes public confidence in the fair and just application of our laws. The Justice Department looks forward to proving its case in court.”
This case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between public safety and individual rights in the criminal justice system.
Sources
- After years of complaints, federal government responds to Louisiana’s overdetention problem
- Louisiana often holds inmates weeks and months past their release date, DOJ says
- Louisiana often holds inmates past their release date, DOJ lawsuit claims
