Criminal Justice

Since prisoners challenged conditions on the Farm Line, state officials have implemented policies making them even worse, lawyers contend.

A Louisiana law cedes much of the power of the parole board to an algorithm that bars thousands of prisoners from a shot at early release. Civil rights attorneys say it could disproportionately harm Black people — and may even be unconstitutional.

The state plans to use nitrogen hypoxia for the first time Tuesday when it’s scheduled to put Jessie Hoffman to death.

Nine prisoners have walked free after evidence presented by members of a forensics team turned out to be wrong — yet one man still awaits execution based on their testimony.

Christopher Sepulvado, the 81-year-old man who was facing execution next month for the 1992 murder of his stepson, died overnight at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, according to his attorney.

Louisiana officials expect to put tens of millions of dollars over the next two months into expanding juvenile detention centers that house children and teenagers accused of crimes.

Non-English-speaking immigrants detained in Louisiana are being denied access to translation and interpretation services, leaving them unable to request medical care or file complaints about abusive treatment immigrants’ rights advocates say.

“Having a felony arrest or conviction on your record is like wearing a heavy yoke around your neck," said Aaron Clark-Rizzio, the legal director for the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights.

Criminal justice reform advocates, public defenders say Act 281 can negatively impact people accused of non-violent crimes.