Angola State Penitentiary may begin housing ICE detainees. Louisiana leaders and the Trump administration are in talks to use the prison facility as the President widens the crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally. West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard welcomes the opportunity.
“It’s going to be job opportunities for us, and it’s made full circle now and finally coming back and we’re willing to do our part, which is what we’ve always done,” Havard said.
A wing previously known as “Camp J,” which closed in 2018 due to its condition, is the likely site to house the detainees. Last month, Governor Landry issued an executive order allowing renovations to the wing to proceed without typical bidding rules. Havard says it’s a win-win.
“Finally addressing it is something that we needed to do. Whether it’s housing ICE inmates and one day, hopefully, they’re going to be gone, and we’ll have a facility where we can actually put people in jail that need to be in jail,” Havard said.
Concerns have reportedly been raised over housing ICE detainees in the same facility as those convicted of violent crimes. Havard says details are still being worked out, but he is confident in the ability of the staff at Angola.
“We’ll learn more as we go, but I’m sure it’s going to be safe, and I’m sure that the people around here who are going to need jobs are willing to work,” Havard said.
