Justice After a Decade: The Erie Moore Case
In a landmark decision that has sent shockwaves through the private prison industry, a federal jury has awarded $42.75 million to the family of Erie Moore, Sr., a man who died a decade ago under brutal circumstances at a Louisiana jail. The verdict, delivered in October 2025, is a stark reminder of the human cost of incarceration and the critical need for accountability in correctional facilities.
What Happened to Erie Moore?
Erie Moore, a 57-year-old retired millworker and devoted father of three, was booked into the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, in October 2015 . His life ended just a month later on November 14, 2015. The official cause of death was a hematoma resulting from blunt-force trauma to the head—a homicide, as ruled by the Ouachita Parish coroner .
According to court documents and his family’s attorneys, Moore’s fatal injuries were sustained when guards slammed his head into the floor during an incident at the facility . This act of excessive force led to a cascade of medical complications that ultimately claimed his life .
The Long Road to a Verdict
The path to justice for the Moore family was a grueling ten-year legal battle. Their lawsuit, filed against LaSalle Corrections—the private company that operated the Richwood Correctional Center—alleged deliberate indifference and a systemic failure to protect inmates from violence .
The jury’s recent verdict found LaSalle Corrections liable for Moore’s death, delivering a powerful message about the responsibilities of private prison operators. The $42.75 million award stands as one of the most significant judgments in a case of its kind .
The Private Prison Problem
The Richwood Correctional Center is not an isolated case. It is part of a vast network of privately-run detention facilities across the United States, a system that has long been criticized for prioritizing profit over the safety and well-being of those in its care .
Who Operates These Facilities?
LaSalle Corrections, headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, is a major player in the private prison industry, managing numerous facilities across the South . While the Richwood facility is under LaSalle’s management, it’s important to note that other giants like The GEO Group also operate a significant number of correctional and immigration detention centers nationwide .
A Troubled History at Richwood
The Richwood Correctional Center itself has a documented history of serious issues. In 2015 alone, the year of Moore’s death, another inmate also died under circumstances that lawsuits attributed to severe neglect and abuse . Federal inspections and reports have repeatedly raised concerns about the conditions within these private facilities .
Breaking Down the Verdict: A Look at the Numbers
| Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Erie Moore, Sr. |
| Date of Death | November 14, 2015 |
| Facility | Richwood Correctional Center, Monroe, LA |
| Operator | LaSalle Corrections |
| Official Cause of Death | Homicide by blunt-force trauma |
| Verdict Date | October 2025 |
| Total Award | $42,750,000 |
What This Means for the Future
This massive verdict is more than just a financial penalty; it’s a potential catalyst for reform. It puts private prison companies on notice that they will be held legally and financially responsible for the safety of the individuals in their custody. For families who have lost loved ones in similar circumstances, the Moore family’s victory offers a glimmer of hope that their own quests for justice are not in vain.
Sources
- The New York Times: Jury Awards $42 Million in Death of Inmate at Private Jail in Louisiana
- NOLA.com: Louisiana jury awards more than $40 million to family of man who died in privately-run jail
- The Advocate: JUSTICE AFTER TEN YEARS | $42.75 MILLION VERDICT
- DHS OIG: Annual Detention Inspection of the Richwood Correctional Center
