Ruling for the Release of a Prisoner in Louisiana After 43 Years of Solitary Confinement

Albert Woodfox, the last surviving member of the group of three prisoners known as the 'Angola Three,' may be released by a federal judge after 43 years in solitary confinement. According to the Associated Press, 'James Brady,' the federal judge overseeing the case regarding human rights issues, stated on Tuesday, June 9, that this 68-year-old member and leader of the so-called 'Black Panthers' should be freed and no longer prosecuted regarding the case of the murder of a prison guard during a riot in 1972. Amnesty International and the United Nations have described Mr. Woodfox's imprisonment conditions as 'inhumane.' Human rights advocates say that Woodfox's imprisonment conditions constitute 'a form of torture.' Judge Brady has explicitly and seriously called for Woodfox's release in his ruling. He stated that the state court 'did not provide fair conditions for the trial' and 'without considering the defendant's physical condition and in the absence of witnesses,' issued this ruling. The ruling states: 'In Mr. Woodfox's case, by placing him in solitary confinement for over 40 years, bias has been employed, and the reality is that he has already been tried twice.' Mr. Woodfox, along with two other prisoners, is accused of killing 'Brent Miller,' a 23-year-old prison guard in the Louisiana state prison. During the Black Panther group's riot in the prison for better conditions, this guard was killed. Woodfox was convicted twice during the trial, but both convictions were overturned due to 'racial bias' and 'lack of sufficient evidence.' Jasmine Hayes, an Amnesty International activist in the U.S., called Judge Brady's ruling 'a significant step toward justice.' George Kendall and Karen Williams, Woodfox's defense attorneys, have gone to the prison where he is held and are awaiting his third trial. James Buddy, the Attorney General of Louisiana, has stated that he will appeal the ruling issued by the federal judge. The state of Louisiana has requested a review from the Fifth Circuit Federal Prosecutor's Office, and the desired ruling is expected to be announced soon. Tony Pagram, from the International Coalition for the Freedom of the 'Angola Three,' quoted Mr. Woodfox as saying he is 'excited and nervous' about the issuance of his release order. The other two members of the 'Angola Three' are named 'Robert King' and 'Herman Wallace.' All three joined the Black Panther group in prison and went on hunger strikes multiple times in protest of improving prison conditions. Woodfox and Wallace were both imprisoned for armed robbery but faced harsh punitive sentences due to their activism. Wallace passed away last year just days before the judge issued his release order. King was released in 2001 after his conviction in the murder of his cellmate in 1973 was overturned. Mr. Woodfox is currently in solitary confinement at the 'St. Francisville' prison in Louisiana, awaiting the execution of his release order.