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Category
Criminal Justice

Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.

Angola’s Farm Line again asks judge for consistent shade and water

While prison officials and Farm Line workers disagree about whether the incarcerated workers have all the shade and water they need, Farm Line workers are asking the judge to reverse DOC’s recent policy changes, which make field work even more dangerous in Louisiana’s summer heat, they contend.
by Nick Chrastil and Bernard Smith April 24, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

As summer nears, Angola Farm Line workers again demand more protections against heat

Since prisoners challenged conditions on the Farm Line, state officials have implemented policies making them even worse, lawyers contend.
by Nick Chrastil April 10, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Dark resurrection

Prisoners come to terms with the return of capital punishment in Louisiana.
by John Corley April 4, 2025 Updated January 23, 2026

Explaining Jessie Hoffman

People still say, ‘That’s not the Jessie I knew.’ But most didn’t know what he endured at home – and that’s likely what drove him on that day, psychiatrists say.
by Katy Reckdahl March 18, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Who gets hurt by an execution?

Beyond the condemned, I've seen the harm done to family members, victims, prison guards, and even jurors. There may be too many people harmed by executions for Louisiana to bear. We don’t need this. Execution is not the solution. 
by Denny LeBoeuf March 17, 2025 Updated January 23, 2026

The doctor defending Louisiana’s controversial execution method

Dr. Joseph Antognini travels across the nation, being paid over $500 an hour by government officials who rely on him to vouch for their execution protocols.
by Nick Chrastil March 17, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Firing up the chamber of death

It has always struck me as odd that our ministers preach the Beatitudes (“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”) while our prosecutors promote revenge.
by Clive Stafford Smith March 14, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

The death penalty as seen by Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford taught me that every chance for life matters. It was easy to see why: prosecutors told the court Glenn was innocent 30 years after he was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to Death Row. Despite being sentenced to death, Glenn and others on the Row refused to forget their humanity.  
by Andrea Armstrong March 11, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Operating capital

As Louisiana restarts executions, stories about the state’s death penalty — from condemned men, victims, families, and those who work in the death chamber.
by Lens staff March 11, 2025 Updated January 24, 2026
stock image from Wix

The Louisiana legislature’s plans to cage our future: the March 29 ballot amendments 

Early voting for this crucial election starts on Saturday. The four constitutional amendments on the March 29 ballot are designed to mislead you as a voter and stand in the way of a safe, more healthy Louisiana.
by Sarah Omojola March 9, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

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About The Lens

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For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

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