Finding People In Angola: A Guide

Angola is home to the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The prison, which is bigger than Manhattan, houses over 6,300 inmates and employs approximately 1,800 staff members. It is named after the former plantation that occupied its territory. If you are looking to find someone incarcerated in Angola, you can search for them using the DOC locator tool, which requires the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name. Alternatively, you can use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment but provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Inmate search databases

• Official Sources: Begin your search by referring to official sources, such as the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The official website of the relevant department often provides a public database where you can look up prisoners incarcerated in specific facilities, such as the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
• Required Information: To conduct a successful search, it is essential to have certain key pieces of information. The full legal name of the inmate is typically required. While some databases allow for searches using aliases or partial names, most require the complete first and last name. Additionally, having the inmate's DC or ID number can be very helpful. This information can usually be found on the inmate's booking sheet or through a general inmate search tool.
• Database Details: Inmate search databases may vary in terms of the information they provide. Some databases offer current inmate information, while others may also grant access to past records. It is important to know where the inmate is incarcerated or which state they are serving their sentence in, as this will help you navigate to the correct database. Federal inmates may be housed in facilities not included in state records.
• Refining Your Search: If your initial search does not yield results, consider refining your search criteria. Start with just the first and last name, and then gradually add more details if needed, such as a middle name or inmate ID number. If you still cannot find the inmate, try using less information or searching with an alias or last name only.
• Additional Resources: If you are unable to locate the inmate in the state database, they may be in a federal facility or a jail. In such cases, consider using resources like VINELink, which is available in almost every state and provides updates on an offender's status. You can also refer to the Arrest Record Search, which is a paid service that offers access to more up-to-date data.
• Contact Information: If you are still unable to find the person you are looking for, consider contacting the correctional facility directly. The Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola can be reached at (225)-655-2343 during business hours, Monday to Friday. They may be able to provide additional guidance or information regarding inmate searches.

By following these guidelines and utilising the available inmate search databases, you can increase your chances of successfully locating someone who is incarcerated in Angola, Louisiana.

Contacting Angola prison

The Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola, is a maximum-security prison in Louisiana. It is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, with 6,300 prisoners and 1,800 staff. The prison is located at the end of Louisiana Highway 66, around 22 miles (35 km) northwest of St. Francisville.

• Address: 17544 Tunica Trace, Angola, LA 70712.
• Phone Number: (225) 655-2030 or (225) 655-2607. These phone numbers can be used for purchasing rodeo tickets or for general enquiries.
• Email: You can submit feedback, ask a question, or share information by using the contact form on the Angola Museum website.
• Website: The Angola Prison Rodeo website provides information on the annual rodeo and includes links to purchase tickets. The Angola Museum website also has information on planning your visit to the museum, including hours and admission fees.
• Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Visiting Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors must arrive before 2:00 p.m. as the bus makes its final departure to the visiting area(s) at this time.

When contacting or visiting Angola Prison, it is important to adhere to their rules and regulations, including their dress code and visitor search policies.

Directions to Angola Prison

From St. Francisville:

• Travel north on Highway 61 for about 2 miles.
• After passing West Feliciana High School on your right, turn left onto Highway 66.
• The 20-mile-long Highway 66 ends at the penitentiary's front gate.

From Baton Rouge:

• Follow I-110 (Martin Luther King Highway) to Highway 61 North and take the Natchez/St. Francisville exit.
• Travel approximately 21 miles to St. Francisville, and then follow the directions above from St. Francisville.

From New Orleans:

• Take I-10 to Baton Rouge.
• At exit 155-B, turn right onto the ramp towards I-110/Business District/Metro Airport.
• I-110 ends at US Highway 61. Turn right (North) onto US Highway 61.
• Travel approximately 26 miles to Highway 66.
• Turn left on Highway 66, which ends at the gates of Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Visiting rules

The Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola, is a maximum-security prison located in Louisiana. Visitors must adhere to strict rules to ensure the safety of guests, employees, and offenders. Here are the visiting rules for Angola:

• Dress Code: Visitors are not allowed to wear mini-skirts, halter tops, or camouflage. Additionally, visitors must not wear any combination of blank white shirts, gray sweatshirts, blue chambray, and denim pants. Clothing that resembles inmate attire or correctional officer uniforms is prohibited. Transparent clothing, revealing outfits, and clothing with obscene images or writing are also not allowed. Hats or head coverings are not permitted unless required for religious reasons.
• Searches: Visitors and their belongings, including vehicles, may be searched without warning to prevent the introduction of contraband or forbidden items such as weapons, drugs, and electronic devices.
• Electronic Devices: Electronic devices, including cell phones, beepers, tape recorders, and video equipment, are prohibited on prison grounds without authorization. Visitors may use these devices only in the main museum building.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises, including the Louisiana State Penitentiary and the Angola Museum.
• Weapons: All weapons, including pocket knives, are strictly prohibited on the property.
• Children: Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to visit the museum unless they are supervised by a parent or guardian. For prison visits, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult listed on the inmate's approved visiting list.
• Identification: All visitors aged 15 and above must present a valid picture ID, such as a state-issued driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, law enforcement ID, college/university ID, or school ID.
• Visiting Days and Hours: Visits are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors must arrive before 2 p.m., as the bus makes its final departure to the visiting area(s) at that time.
• Length of Visits: Each inmate is allowed a two-hour visit on any visiting day. However, the warden or designee may adjust the duration based on available space and staff.
• Number of Visitors: An inmate can have up to ten approved visitors, plus one religious advisor, on their list. Each visitor on the approved list can visit twice a month. During a visit, an inmate can have up to five visitors, including children, at one time.
• Visitor Items: Visitors are allowed to bring a limited number of items to the visiting area, including a wallet or clutch purse with no more than $100 in cash, prescription medication in its original container, a small amount of candy (for diabetics), and one car key. If a visitor has a baby, they can also bring diapers, baby food, milk or juice bottles, a change of clothes, a diaper bag, and a baby blanket.

Sending money to inmates

Sending money to an inmate in Angola involves a few steps. Firstly, you need to know the inmate's full legal name, the name of the correctional facility, and their account number. This information is necessary for the transfer process.

Western Union, for example, offers four ways to send money to an inmate's account: online, by phone, with their mobile app, or in person at one of their agent locations. To send money online, you would log in to your account, click 'Pay inmate', and then enter the required details (facility name, inmate's name, and account number). Payment can be made with a credit/debit card or bank account. After confirming the transaction, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number (MTCN) to track your transfer.

If you're sending money by phone, you would call their dedicated number and follow the prompts, providing the facility name, inmate's name, account number, and the amount you wish to send. You will then receive a tracking number (MTCN) as proof of payment.

Sending money through the Western Union app follows a similar process, where you log in, select 'Send money to an inmate', enter the required details, and pay via credit/debit card.

Lastly, if you prefer to send money in person, you can visit any Western Union agent location and provide the agent with the facility name, inmate's name, and account number. Payment can be made in cash or with a US bank-issued debit card.

It is important to note that different countries and states may have specific procedures and requirements for sending money to inmates, so it is always advisable to check with the relevant correctional facility or a money transfer service like Western Union for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Angola prison's history

Angola Prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is a sprawling maximum-security facility located on 18,000 acres of land in Louisiana, USA. The prison was opened in 1901 on former plantation land and is named after the cotton plantation that previously occupied the site, which in turn was named after the African country that was the origin of many enslaved Africans brought to Louisiana. Angola Prison is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, with approximately 6,300 prisoners and 1,800 staff. It is bordered on three sides by swampland and the Mississippi River, making it a difficult place to escape from.

Throughout much of its history, Angola Prison has been known as one of the hardest places to be incarcerated in the United States. During the administration of Governor Huey Long in the 1920s and 1930s, inmates were subjected to brutal conditions, including underfeeding, beatings, and torture. Guard captains have admitted to approximately 10,000 floggings between 1928 and 1940. Brutal practices continued into the 1950s and beyond, with administrators and guards resisting outside attempts at reform. Public inquiries into the conditions at Angola Prison resulted in some early progress, but by the 1960s, these reforms had stalled, and more modern forms of brutality were introduced.

In 1968, four Angola prisoners filed a lawsuit against the state, accusing it of cruel and unusual punishment. In 1975, a federal judge declared the conditions at Angola Prison unconstitutional and prohibited the prison from accepting new inmates until improvements were made. The judge ordered the state to improve security, medical care, and food service, and to decentralize the penitentiary by building additional facilities. The state was also ordered to eliminate fire, sanitation, and health hazards and to desegregate the prison. While some changes have been made, Angola Prison remains a place of harsh conditions and degradation.

In addition to its history of brutality and inhumane treatment, Angola Prison has also been associated with forced labour and harsh working conditions. Prisoners are forced to work for pennies an hour or sometimes nothing at all, and those who refuse can jeopardize their chances of parole or face punishment. The prison has been the subject of lawsuits and investigations into its labour practices, with some companies cutting ties with the prison following negative findings. Despite legal challenges and public scrutiny, Angola Prison continues to operate as a symbol of the dark history of American justice and racial division.

Frequently asked questions