Judge Says Louisiana Prison Health Care Fails Inmates

In a significant ruling earlier this year, a federal judge condemned the medical care provided at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, marking a pivotal moment in a lawsuit that has spanned nearly a decade. The state has since appealed the ruling, citing the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), a federal law that has historically limited inmates' ability to file lawsuits regarding prison conditions. Legal experts, including University of Michigan law professor Margo Schlanger, note that the PLRA has contributed to a nearly 40% decline in inmate lawsuits nationwide since its enactment. The lawsuit highlights severe allegations of overcrowding, sexual assault, and rampant violence within Angola, with court documents revealing over 270 stabbings, including 20 fatalities, in a three-year period. Testimonies from medical experts have also pointed to egregious failures in care, such as a patient with AIDS who suffered a life-threatening mistake during a medical procedure. Despite these claims, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has not publicly addressed the allegations. In a January 1999 report, a key figure in the case expressed frustration over the slow progress in reforming Angola's healthcare system, suggesting that the PLRA significantly diminished the leverage of those advocating for change. The current appeal process could lead to various outcomes, including the potential for the 5th Circuit Court to uphold, reverse, or remand the case for further hearings, which may involve discussions on the implications of the PLRA on the ruling.