BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Detainees at the Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Angola are on day four of a hunger strike.
According to a release, 19 detainees at the new ICE facility, Camp 47, sparked a hunger strike against “inhumane conditions.”
The detainees are demanding medical care and prescriptions, mental health care, basic necessities, and visitation from ICE officers for assistance.
Organizations, such as the National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition (SEDND), have received reports about detainees missing basic hygiene products and neglected health conditions. The detainees also shared that the facility lacks key services, including a law library and religious services, which are required by the Performance-Based National Detention Standards.
“Governor [Jeff] Landry declared a so-called ‘state of emergency’ in order to reopen yet another inhumane detention center on Louisiana taxpayers’ dime. But the real emergency is what’s happening inside: people are being denied life-saving medication, and some may die as a result. These hunger strikers are bravely speaking out, risking retaliation from Camp J guards and putting their own lives on the line to ensure those around them receive the medical care they need,” said the Steering Committee of the Southeast Dignity not Detention Coalition.
“We stand with the hunger strikers as they demand basic necessities to which all humans are entitled. Angola’s not being able to provide necessary medical care, hygiene supplies, and access to other essential services is just another reason why this facility should be shut down,” said Bridget Pranzatelli of the National Immigration Project.
In July, Landry published an executive order to repair the facility formerly known as Camp J. The order stated that Camp J was in a state of deterioration and posed an injury risk for anyone in the facility.
On Sept. 3, Landry announced Camp 47’s opening, stating that 51 detainees were already housed at the facility.
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