Michael McEwen

At the prison known as Angola, the farm line involves hours of laboring in fields under intense sun.

Several current and former inmates sued in 2023, initially aiming to end the practice entirely.

A court then ordered temporary protections for two consecutive summers, including water breaks and mandatory shade.

But the judge hearing the bench trial said he was constrained from making the protections permanent because of a previous ruling in a higher court.

Attorney Samantha Puchot, with the Promise of Justice Initiative, represented the plaintiffs.

Attorneys for the men say they're now considering further legal action.

For NPR News, I'm Michael McEwen in New Orleans.