Controversial ‘Louisiana Lockup’ Opens at Angola Prison for Migrants Convicted of Serious Crimes

A new, highly secure immigration detention facility, dubbed “Camp 57” or “Louisiana Lockup,” has officially opened this week inside the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the facility will house hundreds of undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes, marking a “historic agreement” between the state and federal government.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, toured the facility on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Noem emphasized that Camp 57, designed for over 400 detainees, is not a typical ICE facility, specifically chosen for its high security and Angola’s “notorious” history to send a strong message to “illegal criminals.”

As of Tuesday, 51 detainees, some convicted of murder and rape, had already arrived at Camp 57. The facility, named after Governor Landry (Louisiana’s 57th governor), is part of a “new partnership” under the Trump administration. Governor Landry also highlighted the prison’s formidable natural surroundings, including a lake “full of alligators” and a “forest full of bears.”

The opening comes amidst increased transfers of ICE detainees under the current administration, a practice drawing concern from immigration advocates who fear it makes it harder for detainees to access legal counsel and family. Noem defended the transfers, stating they are logistical and necessary for deportations, particularly for the most dangerous individuals now housed in Camp 57. The move follows a federal judge’s order to dismantle another state-run facility in Florida, “Alligator Alcatraz,” which the White House plans to appeal.

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