New Detention Facility opens in Louisiana
A new immigration and customs enforcement detention facility, referred to as “Louisiana Lockup,” has opened at the infamous Angola prison, which has a reputation for housing some of the most dangerous illegal immigrants.
According to an official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 51 migrants have already been relocated to this facility.
Angola prison, situated on 18,000 acres, has a dark history, once labeled as the “bloodiest prison in the South” due to the prevalence of violent incidents. The Angola Museum recounts that this moniker originated in 1962, following a surge in stabbing incidents. In the early 1970s, inmates filed lawsuits against the state, prompting federal courts to impose necessary reforms.
The DHS is collaborating with Louisiana to enhance detention capacity by utilizing portions of the prison, aiming to add 416 beds. Funding for this initiative is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” intended to boost ICE’s capacity by 80,000 new beds to facilitate deportations.
Detainees are being held in a previously unused section called Camp J, which has a grim past as the “dungeons,” where many cells were designed for solitary confinement. Recently, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to expedite repairs in this area.
The “Louisiana Lockup” joins a series of modified facilities, following others like Florida’s “Crocodile Alcatraz,” Nebraska’s “Cornhusker Clink,” and Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer.”
Chief Christa Noem of DHS commented on the partnership with Louisiana, appreciating Governor Landry’s efforts to help detain some of the country’s most serious offenders. She emphasized that individuals illegally residing in the U.S. risk being sent to various detention facilities, including Louisiana Lockup.
Governor Landry stressed, “Louisiana Lockup provides the necessary space to detain violent criminals, including rapists and drug traffickers, ensuring they can no longer pose a threat to our communities.” He asserted that this facility would enhance safety for both Louisiana and the entire nation.
In related developments, DHS highlighted the types of violent offenders that could be held at Louisiana Lockup, further pointing to increased measures in immigration enforcement across the state.
