Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Louisiana over Imprisonment beyond Release Dates
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections, alleging that the state has been indefinitely incarcerating prisoners past their release dates[1]. This practice, according to the DOJ, violates prisoners' rights and evidences a failure in the state's process to accurately calculate and enforce release dates for incarcerated individuals.
The lawsuit, filed by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, alleges that Louisiana's system for determining prisoner release dates is unreliable and flawed, resulting in many prisoners being held beyond their scheduled release[1]. Local attorneys handling class-action lawsuits have documented cases as recently as May 2024 where 141 people were released late, with 120 held more than 30 days past their release dates[1].
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division stated that incarcerating people indefinitely intrudes on individual liberty and erodes public confidence in the fair and just application of our laws[1]. Despite state officials claiming that the issue has been addressed through system overhauls and improved inter-agency electronic communication, skepticism remains about whether the problem has been fully resolved[1].
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and state Attorney General Liz Murrill blame the problem on the "failed criminal justice reforms" advanced by the "past administration." However, the DOJ claims that Louisiana relies on "outdated, unreliable, and inefficient systems and practices that result in errors and unreasonable administrative delays"[1].
The lawsuit highlights systemic problems, and critics warn that dismissing it prematurely could leave such violations uncorrected, harming those incarcerated unjustly[1]. The Justice Department looks forward to proving its case in court.
The state of Louisiana has made marginal efforts to address the systemic deficiencies leading to overdetention, but these efforts are deemed inadequate by the Justice Department. For instance, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections announced the development of a new system in 2018, but it has yet to be fully implemented[1].
Activists have long challenged conditions in the state's prison system, according to The Guardian. The Justice Department's lawsuit alleges that the state's prison system unlawfully holds people past their release dates, which could constitute violations of inmates' 14th Amendment rights[1].
The lawsuit claims that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections unlawfully imprisoned thousands of inmates for weeks-and, in some cases, months-after their sentences had been completed[1]. This practice, if proven, represents a significant civil rights concern related to due process and unlawful detention[1].
The lawsuit is part of a broader DOJ effort to enforce civil rights within correctional institutions, ensuring that prisoners' constitutional rights—including timely release—are respected[1]. The state of Louisiana, through Landry and Murrill, has stated that it is committed to preserving the constitutional rights of Louisiana citizens[1]. However, the Justice Department continues to look forward to proving its case in court.
[1] Source: Department of Justice Press Release, 2024.
- The Justice Department's lawsuit against Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections alleges that the state's system for calculating and enforcing prisoner release dates is flawed, potentially violating prisoners' civil rights.
- The lawsuit, filed in the context of the DOJ's commitment to enforcing civil rights within correctional institutions, could highlight systemic issues related to criminal justice and war-and-conflicts, particularly due process and unlawful detention.
- Activists and attorneys have raised concerns about general news issues regarding the conditions in Louisiana's prison system, pointing to the possibility of violations of inmates' 14th Amendment rights through unlawful imprisonment past their release dates.
