Journalist Bernard Smith writes “The court will determine whether forced prison field labor is unconstitutional and in violation of federal disability law.”

On 12/23/25, a federal judge certified a class action for incarcerated men at Angola Prison who are forced to perform punitive farm labor under extreme, unconstitutional and conditions that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Yesterday, a federal judge granted a second temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety related to the operation of the “Farm Line” at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) during periods of extreme heat.