Federal judge approves class action lawsuit regarding farm labor at Angola prison

A recent development in a class-action lawsuit involving incarcerated men at Louisiana State Penitentiary sheds light on alleged unconstitutional farm labor conditions and potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson of the Middle District of Louisiana certified the class action on Dec. 23, encompassing all individuals at the prison either currently assigned to or potentially facing assignment to the “Farm Line” labor detail. Additionally, a subgroup of incarcerated individuals with disabilities subject to similar assignments was also certified.

The Farm Line at the Louisiana State Penitentiary involves manual agricultural work performed by incarcerated men in prison fields. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that these assignments are punitive and carried out under hazardous conditions, raising concerns about potential constitutional violations. Judge Jackson’s ruling took into account extensive testimonies from both incarcerated plaintiffs and Department of Corrections officials, revealing that nearly every new inmate at the prison is initially assigned to the Farm Line. Moreover, many individuals remain at risk of being reassigned to this duty as a disciplinary measure, highlighting the recurring nature of the issue.

Damaris Jackson, a named plaintiff in the case, expressed a personal connection to the labor assigned at the prison, drawing parallels to Louisiana’s historical context of racial oppression. Reflecting on their grandmother’s experience as a sharecropper in East Feliciana Parish, Jackson shared feelings of discomfort being forced to work in a Louisiana cotton field alongside other Black men, likening the experience to that of a slave.

Cecelia Kappel, deputy director of litigation for the Promise of Justice Initiative, emphasized the systemic nature of the alleged harms in the case. By certifying the class action, Kappel stated that the lawsuit can progress on behalf of all individuals subjected to forced labor on the Farm Line, underscoring the importance of seeking justice for impacted individuals.

Plaintiffs argue that the Farm Line serves dual purposes – as an initial job assignment for newly incarcerated individuals and as a form of punishment for disciplinary infractions. This practice reportedly results in physical and psychological harm for those involved, highlighting the urgent need for legal intervention to protect the constitutional rights of all individuals at Angola State Penitentiary.

Lydia Wright, the legal director of Rights Behind Bars, emphasized the significance of achieving class certification in the case. Noting that any relief granted would benefit all individuals potentially subjected to the Farm Line labor detail, Wright reiterated the importance of upholding the constitutional rights of incarcerated individuals at Angola.

As the lawsuit progresses towards a scheduled five-day trial starting on Feb. 3, 2026, the certification of the class action sets the stage for further legal proceedings aimed at addressing the alleged constitutional violations and harmful practices associated with farm labor at the Angola prison.