Lafayette, LA – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill have issued a joint statement in response to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing the state of keeping incarcerated individuals behind bars beyond their official release dates.
The lawsuit, which was filed on December 21, alleges that Louisiana has violated the constitutional rights of inmates by unlawfully delaying their release, citing concerns over the management of prison populations and release schedules. According to the DOJ, the state has failed to comply with federal standards, leading to prolonged incarceration for some prisoners after they have served their sentences.
In their response, Landry and Murrill took a strong stance against the lawsuit, calling it politically motivated and an attempt by the Biden administration to interfere with Louisiana’s criminal justice system. The two officials referred to the lawsuit as “Grinch Joe Biden’s parting Christmas present to the state and the people of Louisiana,” a remark they framed as a criticism of the timing of the legal action, which was filed shortly before the holiday season.
Governor Landry and Attorney General Murrill defended the state’s actions, stating that they have taken significant measures to ensure public safety and to ensure that criminals serve their full sentences. They emphasized that their administration has prioritized the safety of Louisianans and worked to uphold the rule of law, claiming that those who commit crimes should do the time.
The DOJ’s lawsuit, which focuses on the state’s handling of inmate releases, is a response to ongoing concerns about prison overcrowding and the accuracy of release procedures. The federal government argues that the state’s failure to release prisoners on time has led to violations of their civil rights, potentially breaching constitutional protections against unlawful detention.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of prison reform and the management of incarcerated populations. As Louisiana grapples with overcrowding in its prisons and the challenges of maintaining adequate resources, the state’s handling of inmate release dates will likely remain a point of contention between local and federal authorities.
As the lawsuit proceeds, it is expected to further fuel the debate over criminal justice practices and the role of the federal government in overseeing state-level incarceration systems.