Louisiana’s Angola Prison Designated for Immigration Detainees
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated the notorious Angola Prison in Louisiana to hold immigration detainees, according to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. This decision, announced on March 6, 2024, is part of a broader strategy aimed at encouraging individuals in the U.S. illegally to self-deport. Noem described the facility as housing the “worst of the worst” among Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees.
Located on a sprawling 18,000-acre site, the prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, has a history marked by violence and infamy. During a press conference at the facility, Noem emphasized that its reputation played a significant role in its selection for this purpose. Currently, officials report that 51 detainees are already being housed at Angola, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry projecting that the facility will soon reach capacity, accommodating over 400 detainees in the coming months.
Historical Context and Current Condition
Angola Prison has long been a symbol of harsh penal conditions in the United States. Once referred to as “the bloodiest prison in America,” it has witnessed numerous violent incidents, mass riots, and a history of brutal treatment of inmates. The facility is currently undergoing renovations to house ICE detainees, utilizing a building that had stood vacant for years.
The prison features single-occupancy cells, each equipped with a bed, toilet, and sink. Surrounding the facility are high fences topped with multiple layers of barbed wire, underscoring the security measures in place. During a tour of the facility, which was accompanied by representatives of the press, the stark environment was evident, with outdoor enclosures designed to confine multiple detainees.
Landry, during the event, asserted that those detained belong in such a facility, reinforcing the administration’s tough stance on immigration. He stated, “If you don’t think that they belong in somewhere like this, you’ve got a problem.”
Wider Implications for Immigration Policy
This move is part of a larger initiative by the Trump administration to strengthen its immigration enforcement strategy. The DHS has introduced several new detention facilities across the country, including sites in Indiana and Nebraska, as part of a comprehensive plan to detain over 100,000 individuals under a $45 billion expansion of immigration detention centers, authorized by Trump in July 2023.
Angola’s historical roots trace back to its establishment as a plantation, where forced labor was commonplace. After the Civil War, it transitioned to a state prison, continuing a legacy of exploitation that is now a focal point of discussions about criminal justice and immigration reform.
As the administration’s policies unfold, attention will remain on the implications for both detainees and the broader community, particularly as the U.S. grapples with immigration challenges. The approach taken at Angola Prison may serve to reinforce a climate of fear for many residing in the country unlawfully, a tactic the administration has increasingly employed in its messaging.
The designation of Angola Prison for ICE detainees reflects a significant shift in the U.S. immigration landscape, spotlighting the intersection of history, security, and policy in the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement.
