In the article, “Lawyer Won Improved Conditions on Louisiana Death Row” published by The National Law Journal, Co-Managing Partner Mitch Kamin discusses his recent pro bono case representing three death row inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
In collaboration with Promise of Justice Initiative in New Orleans, Mr. Kamin and Associate Nilay Vora prevailed in a groundbreaking ruling that qualified excessive heat at the prison as “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment.
Mr. Kamin and Mr. Vora presented evidence that these extreme conditions presented grave health risks, such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. Mr. Kamin adds, “Each of our clients testified and told the judge of their experience living in these conditions. We had excellent experts who talked about the health risks. The judge indicated in his ruling that he did not find the testimony by some wardens credible.”
Conclusively, U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson ordered Louisiana’s Department of Correction to deliver a plan within two months to maintain a heat index of no higher than 88 degrees on death row.