Baton Rouge, La. — A federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge alleges that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections continues to hold individuals past their court‑ordered release dates, a problem documented in multiple state reports.
Details of the complaint
The complaint, filed by attorneys Lisa Andres and Jaren Brignac on Aug. 28, names Department Secretary Gary Wescott as the sole defendant. Andres says she spent 101 days in jail after a judge ordered her release on May 30, 2025. Brignac was held nine days beyond his release date. The plaintiffs are seeking class‑action status, compensatory and punitive damages, and a court order requiring the department to process releases within 48 hours of sentence completion.
Historical context of overdetention
Department records cited in the suit show more than 1,200 people were held past their release dates from August 2024 through 2025. This follows a 2023 U.S. Justice Department finding of systemic overdetention in Louisiana and a 2012 internal review that identified over 2,000 annual overdetentions. A Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report released in February marked the fifth consecutive year the department failed to verify changes to inmate release dates.
Specific case examples
Court records reveal that an Orleans Parish judge ordered Andres released on May 30, 2025, after she was arrested Dec. 30, 2024, on a misdemeanor domestic‑abuse battery charge later reduced to “keeping a disorderly place.” The corrections department obtained her release documents on Oct. 15, calculated her time the same day, and released her the next day. By that point, Andres had spent 151 days in custody for an offense carrying a maximum 90‑day sentence, resulting in the loss of her apartment.
Department response and state officials
A Department of Corrections spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill characterized the lawsuit as “nothing more than an attempt at a money grab,” noting the complexity of time‑calculation procedures and the department’s ongoing efforts to implement a new system designed to reduce errors.
What the plaintiffs seek
The lawsuit alleges that Secretary Wescott failed to direct time‑computation staff to prioritize individuals eligible for immediate release and did not establish deadlines for completing release calculations. In addition to monetary relief, the plaintiffs request a court‑ordered mandate that the department process releases within 48 hours of sentence completion, a change that would protect families from unnecessary separation and preserve housing stability.
Implications for Louisiana families
If the court grants the requested reforms, Louisiana families could see faster reunifications and fewer wrongful incarcerations, aligning with the state’s broader commitment to uphold individual liberty and protect traditional family structures. The case also underscores the need for transparent, accountable government operations—a principle that resonates with community‑first values.
Next steps
The lawsuit now moves forward in federal court. Both sides are expected to present evidence on the department’s release‑calculation processes, and the court will decide whether to grant class‑action status and the requested injunctive relief.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
