Officials address allegations surrounding Louisiana Lockup, call reports ‘misleading’

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) released an official statement Monday after reports of a hunger strike sparked by claims of mistreatment at Louisiana Lockup, the state’s newest ICE detention center.

Officials described the reports about detainees as “misleading,” adding that it is “unacceptable and create a false narrative about the facility’s operations.” The agency said there were no hunger strikes until after reports were published on Sept. 20, when 17 ICE detainees refused their meals on the evening of Sept. 21.

“This action appears to have been sparked by false narratives in the media that put the idea in the detainees’ heads,” DPS&C said. As of Monday, officials said three detainees out of the 17 continue to refuse meals.

New Orleans-based grassroots group Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition claimed that a days-long hunger strike was happening at the facility, according to a release sent Saturday. The group alleged that detainees weren’t receiving basic personal hygiene products or medications.

When addressing the allegations, DPS&C said, “These allegations are false. All detainees receive prompt medical attention upon intake and as needed throughout their detention. This includes initial health screenings and access to necessary medical care and medication for any ongoing health issues. Additionally, detainees were provided with hygiene items to maintain personal cleanliness and health. These items are also issued as needed.”

The agency also addressed claims of plumbing issues, saying that no issues were found aside from one incident where a detainee intentionally flooded his cell on Sunday morning.

Louisiana Lockup opened in early September. Gov. Jeff Landry said it was made to detain “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” Fifty-one detainees were housed in the facility at the time of its opening.

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