Writing To Inmates: Angola Prison Guide

Angola Prison, officially the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is a maximum-security prison in Louisiana, US. The prison was once a plantation, and prisoners continue to pick cotton and perform other forms of forced labour. Angola Prison is the site of the longest-running prison rodeo in the US, which has been criticised as inhumane and exploitative. In this context, writing to a prisoner in Angola could be a way to connect with and support someone subjected to inhumane conditions.

Angola Prison Rodeo

The Angola Prison Rodeo is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. It began in 1965 as a joint endeavour between offenders, prison employees, and civilians living in Angola's residential area. The rodeo is held on one weekend in April and every Sunday in October, with thousands of visitors entering the prison complex.

The rodeo was initially created for the entertainment of prisoners and employees, but it soon attracted outside spectators. The first two rodeos, in 1965 and 1966, were not open to the public. In 1967, the rodeo opened to the general public, with a limited number of tickets offered for admission. The rodeo has grown in popularity over the years, with the current arena accommodating more than 10,000 attendees.

The Angola Prison Rodeo is not a traditional rodeo. While rodeos typically test the skills and athletic abilities of cowboys and cowgirls in working conditions like cattle ranching, the prison rodeo showcases the battle between animal and human strength. The events include bull riding, bronco busting, steer wrestling, and the highly anticipated Guts and Glory run. In Guts and Glory, a poker chip is tied to the toughest bull, and inmates must try to snatch the chip to win a monetary prize.

Other unique events include Convict Poker, where four inmates play poker while a loose bull tries to unseat them, and Prisoner Pinball, where inmates stand in randomly placed hula hoops and the last one standing wins. Traditional rodeo events, such as barrel racing and bull-dogging, are also included. The rodeo is produced by professionals, with trained rodeo clowns and emergency services personnel ensuring the safety of the participants.

The rodeo serves as a behavioural incentive for offenders with good behaviour. Inmate participation is voluntary, and they can earn money and sell their artwork, furniture, and handicrafts. Many offenders see the rodeo as an opportunity to feel connected to society outside the prison gates and take pride in showcasing their talents. The proceeds from the rodeo benefit the Inmate Welfare Fund, which supports educational and recreational programs for inmates.

Arts and Crafts Festival

The Angola Prison Rodeo, held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. The rodeo is a collaboration between prisoners and prison employees, with the latter conducting financial transactions. Held annually, the event includes a biannual Arts and Crafts Festival, where prisoners sell their handmade artwork and crafts.

The Arts and Crafts Festival is an integral part of the Angola Prison Rodeo, attracting thousands of visitors to the prison complex. This festival provides an opportunity for prisoners to showcase their creativity and find value in mimicking everyday images and goods from the outside world.

Prison art and craft traditions have a long history, with inmates using their time to create a wide range of artwork, from paintings and sculptures to carved wooden items and intricate soap carvings. These creative endeavours provide a means of escape from the oppressiveness of prison life and a way to express themselves and find validation.

The Angola Prison Rodeo's Arts and Crafts Festival is a unique event that brings together the worlds of prison life and creative expression. It offers a glimpse into the talent and creativity that can emerge even in the most challenging of environments, providing a platform for prisoners to showcase their skills and connect with the outside community.

Inmate Bible college

Overview

Courses Offered

• Associate's Degree in Biblical Studies
• Associate's Degree in Christian Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Christian Leadership
• Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry
• Master of Exegetical Theology (M.E.T.)
• Doctor of Contemporary Christian Music (D.C.C.C.M.)

These programs offer diverse course options, experienced faculty, and accessibility for all. The courses are designed to be accessible and can be completed through correspondence, with all materials provided in a paper-based format.

Benefits

The initiative extends beyond physical boundaries, bringing faith-based education directly to incarcerated individuals. It offers an educational and spiritual journey where faith and future thrive together. The program nurtures faith and knowledge, preparing individuals to make a positive impact on their communities.

Testimonials

Testimonials from graduates of similar programs highlight the transformative power of Inmate Bible College. One graduate shared how the program helped him change his life around, turning away from drugs and gang involvement. Another graduate, Michael, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, shared his gratitude for the opportunity to pursue his calling and give glory to God.

Hospice program

In 1997, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, also known as "America's Bloodiest Prison", started a hospice program to provide end-of-life care for its ageing inmate population. At the time, 85% of inmates were serving life sentences, and the prison administration recognized the need to address the unique challenges associated with providing end-of-life care in a correctional setting.

The hospice program at Angola is run by an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) that consists of seven members. This team creates a plan of action for each patient and ensures the maintenance of appropriate care. The program has five core goals:

• Provide quality end-of-life care
• Honour the patient's support systems
• Address the patient's needs holistically, emphasizing the palliation of physical, social, spiritual, and emotional suffering
• Assist the patient with activities considered life-affirming
• Maintain an end-of-life care system

A unique aspect of Angola's hospice program is the involvement of inmate volunteers, who play a crucial role in the creation and delivery of care. These volunteers are selected based on their clean disciplinary records and undergo training to prepare them for their role in the hospice. The introduction of the hospice program led to a significant change in prison culture, challenging norms and fostering a sense of compassion among the inmates.

The program provides a range of services, from palliative care and emotional support to granting dying inmates' last wishes. In addition, the program has initiated innovative ways to generate funding, such as through quilting and auctioning off the quilts at the Angola Prison Rodeo.

The success of Angola's hospice program has been recognized nationally, and it has served as a model for other correctional facilities. The dedication of the administration, staff, and inmates to improving end-of-life care has transformed the institution, challenging stereotypes and providing a more dignified end-of-life experience for those serving life sentences.

Prison conditions

Angola Prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States. It has a long and brutal history, having been built on a former slave plantation and earning nicknames such as "Alcatraz of the South" and "The Bloodiest Prison in America".

Prisoners at Angola are subjected to harsh conditions and treatment. In the fields, they are often deprived of water, with water buckets placed at the other end of the field and dumped out as prisoners are about to reach them. Those who stop working to walk closer to the buckets are written up for a "work offense". Inmates who are injured or sick are exempt from field work, so some prisoners intentionally hurt themselves to avoid this work. One prisoner, Henry James, recounted how he cut his knee with a razor blade to avoid working in the brutal heat.

Angola Prison is also known for its rodeo, which is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. While the rodeo is a voluntary event that some inmates praise, it has been criticized for being inhumane and exploitative. Inmates are not provided with any training before participating, and the chance to win cash prizes incentivizes them to put themselves in harm's way.

In recent years, Angola Prison has been criticized for its inadequate medical care. In one case, a prisoner named Shannon Hurd, who was serving a life sentence for stealing $14, exhibited flu-like symptoms and complained of side pain. Doctors at the prison dismissed his complaints, and he was denied medical care for three years. He was eventually diagnosed with kidney cancer, which had already spread to his brain. Shannon died in prison in March 2017 at the age of 42. His story is not an isolated incident, and the ACLU of Louisiana has filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions at the prison.

Frequently asked questions