DOJ Sues Louisiana for Systemic Overdetention of Prisoners
Federal investigators revealed that since at least 2012, over 25% of individuals due for release have been held in prison beyond their sentences.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana, accusing the state of unlawfully holding incarcerated individuals past their court-ordered release dates. The DOJ alleges that this practice, ongoing for more than a decade, flagrantly violates constitutional rights and costs taxpayers millions annually.
Federal investigators revealed that since at least 2012, over 25% of individuals due for release have been held in prison beyond their sentences. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “The right to individual liberty includes the right to be released on time after the term set by the court has ended. To incarcerate people beyond their release date is a blatant violation of their rights and erodes public confidence in the justice system.”
The practice of detaining individuals past their release date is both unconstitutional and unconscionable. Every extra day someone is unlawfully imprisoned is a day stolen from their freedom and a profound failure of the justice system.
In response to the lawsuit, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill blamed prior criminal justice reforms for the systemic issues. In a joint statement, they said, “This past year, we have taken significant action to keep Louisianans safe and ensure those who commit the crime also do the time. The State of Louisiana is committed to preserving the constitutional rights of Louisiana citizens.”
However, critics argue that the state has failed to take meaningful steps to end overdetention, despite years of warnings from the DOJ. This issue is emblematic of broader inequities within Louisiana’s prison system, including the notorious conditions at Angola Prison, a facility that starkly reflects the state’s troubled incarceration policies.
The lawsuit seeks accountability and reforms to ensure that no individual is unlawfully imprisoned beyond their sentence. Holding anyone longer than their legally mandated time is not just wrong—it’s a profound violation of human rights and justice.
