A case filed by Angola death row inmates that accused the facility of cruel and unusual punishment for it’s refusal to air condition their cells has been conditionally dismissed after the two sides came to an agreement.
Legal analyst Tim Meche says there will be no A/C, but the state has agreed to provide the inmates with “comfort” activities.
“Specifically an ice blowing machine, called a Cajun Cooler, daily showers, and access to cold water.”
Inmates say heat indexes exceeding 88 degrees triggered the case.
The state did not want to provide air conditioning to the inmates, and had disagreed with the inmates on what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Meche says the implications of this case are clear.
“The inmates cannot dictate to the state how to make their conditions livable, however, the state must make their living conditions livable and humane.”
Meche says the state fought tooth and nail to keep from having to buy window units for the prisoners, wracking up over a million dollars in legal fees, and is likely now spending even more money on the remedial activities than they would have if they agreed to the initial demands.
“They could have ended this matter by going to Home Depot and buying three window units, and they would not have wasted all of this money and wasted six years on this case.”
The dismissal could become final in November.
