Beneath the intense summer sun on a former plantation, inmates within Louisiana’s state penitentiary endure grueling conditions while picking vegetables under the supervision of armed guards. Inmate Lamont Gross described the situation, stating, “I saw guys collapse.” Many prisoners work for little to no pay and are punished if they refuse to perform labor that exposes them to dangerous heat.
As temperatures rise to record levels across the South, a federal judge has taken significant action regarding the treatment of these mostly Black incarcerated workers. The Angola prison, which spans 18,000 acres, has a history tied to an oppressive labor system. Enslaved people, including pregnant women and children, toiled in the same fields from dawn until dusk. Even today, inmates are subjected to similar working conditions, often devoid of shade or adequate break times.
In September, several incarcerated workers, together with a local advocacy group, filed a class-action lawsuit against the state, labeling the current practices as cruel and unusual punishment. In light of worsening heat conditions, the men sought an emergency court order to halt fieldwork during extreme temperatures.
U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson issued a temporary restraining order, asserting that correctional officials displayed “deliberate indifference” to the health risks faced by incarcerated workers, many of whom have serious medical issues. He mandated the state to address its severe deficiencies in heat-related policies promptly.
Despite the Louisiana corrections department’s objections to the order, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals supported the judge’s decision. The prison has begun implementing changes, offering inmates sunscreen and temporary shade structures, as well as five-minute breaks every half hour during heat alerts.
State officials expressed concern that halting work once the heat index reached 88 degrees Fahrenheit could lead to a broader precedent affecting institutions across the South. Similar penal farms exist in several other Southern states, where some use modern equipment, while others rely on manual labor, resulting in crops that enter commercial supply chains.
Advocates for reform, drawn from personal experience, argue that these labor conditions mirror historical injustices. Incarcerated individuals across the nation often lack air conditioning and face extreme heat both in the fields and inside prison cells, leading many to resort to dangerous methods to cool down.
Christopher Scott, a former inmate, highlighted the severity of the conditions: “In extreme heat, you could suffer severe health consequences,” he said, recounting instances of heat-related illnesses among fellow prisoners.
Although the Texas corrections department claims no inmate has died from heat-related issues in recent years, advocacy efforts persist, underscoring the need for accountability. The class-action lawsuit in Louisiana is scheduled for hearing in September, with inmates voicing the grueling nature of farm line work and inadequate access to clean water.
The judge noted many prisoners’ grievances had merit, calling into question the validity of certain claims made by prison staff regarding the working conditions. He emphasized the challenges faced by inmates, stating the physical demands of farm line work are enormous.
This situation sheds light on ongoing concerns about prison labor and the need for reform in the face of environmental challenges, as temperatures reach unprecedented levels amid climate change.
