Judge Brian Jackson of the U.S. District Court has certified a class action lawsuit against Angola Prison on behalf of men forced to perform punitive farm labor under unconstitutional conditions and in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under this ruling, the court certified two specific groups: a primary class encompassing all persons currently or potentially assigned to the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) Farm Line, and a specialized subclass for those with disabilities assigned to the same labor. In his findings, Judge Jackson noted that nearly every individual arriving at the facility is assigned to the Farm Line upon entry, with the majority remaining at risk of reassignment as a disciplinary measure.

Guest:

Samantha Pourciau is a Senior Staff Attorney at The Promise of Justice Initiative based out of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Credits:

Host: Mansa Musa
Producer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron Granadino

Resource links:

https://promiseofjustice.org/news/incarcerated-farm-line-workers-win-class-certification
https://therealnews.com/prisoners-sue-over-inhumane-conditions-on-angolas-brutal-farm-line
https://therealnews.com/prison-farms-and-agricarceral-slave-labor
https://therealnews.com/louisiana-still-imprisons-people-convicted-by-jim-crow-juries

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Angola Prisoners Head to Trial Over Slave Labor Class Action Lawsuit