Federal judge orders Angola to take measures to protect prisoners from summer heat while at work

BATON ROUGE — A federal judge is giving the Louisiana State Penitentiary a week to come up with a plan to protect prisoners who work outdoors from extreme heat after advocates sued the DOC in June.

Judge Brian Jackson issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Angolan authorities from sending prisoners to work on the Farm Line when heat index readings reach or exceed 88 degrees and requiring the state to send a memorandum detailing its proposed solutions.

He announced his decision on a day when the heat index was 118.

Former prisoner Terrance Winn was imprisoned in Angola for over 30 years. The harsh conditions were like working on a mule for him.

“If a horse falls out, you come in, and that’s the only way you can get there,” Winn said.

Jackson argued that, in his opinion, Angola does not meet federal and state minimum requirements for heat protection.

“The abundance of evidence here shows that detained individuals working on the farm are not provided with shade, sun protection, or required rest breaks. In addition, the testimony of the named plaintiffs uniformly states that breaks are rarely granted, that the water provided is dirty, that they are required to work beyond their physical capacity, And that they lack other necessary protective equipment,” Jackson wrote.

Lydia Wright, Deputy Director of Civil The litigation representative of the Promise of Justice initiative and one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers praised the ruling and said she would fight until the ruling brought about lasting change.

“Today’s ruling confirms that the unconstitutional and inhumane conditions of forced labor in the Louisiana State Penitentiary will no longer be tolerated unchallenged,” Wright said. “The ultimate goal is to end the Farm Line once and for all. It serves no useful purpose, it is clearly cruel and unusual punishment and there is no place for it in modern society.”

The state prison system announced it would appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The ruling comes at a time when most of the state is still under a Warning or indication of extreme heat. A heat warning is in effect for the municipality of West Feliciana, meaning heat index values ​​exceed 46.4°C.

“Working outdoors without proper protective equipment can lead to really serious heat-related illness, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and even death,” Wright said.