Remembering Terri O: A Memorial At Angola Prison

Terrence Winn, a Shreveport man, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at Angola State Prison. However, after spending 30 years behind bars, he was freed due to a US Supreme Court ruling that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now, Winn is working to change Shreveport for the better and help better the city's youth.

Terrence Winn, a Shreveport man, was freed from Angola State Prison after 30 years

Terrence Winn was just 16 years old when he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at Angola State Penitentiary. Now, after spending 30 years behind bars, he has been freed.

Winn was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder for a crime he committed as a minor. On Christmas Day in 1989, Winn got into a fight with another young man in Shreveport, Louisiana, which ended in gunfire. Although the young man he was fighting with was shot, an innocent bystander was killed.

While at Angola, Winn was forced to work in harsh conditions for minimal pay. He received 75 disciplinary write-ups for refusing to work, some due to physical pain or injury, and others because he refused to pick cotton. Instead of working, Winn chose to go to solitary confinement, which he referred to as the "dungeon."

In 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This ruling was made retroactive in 2016 with the Montgomery v. Louisiana decision. These rulings paved the way for Winn's release from Angola State Penitentiary.

Now, at 46 years old, Winn is working to change Shreveport for the better. He has founded the nonprofit Priorities, Intentions, Positive Exchanges (PIPES) to help recently incarcerated people reintegrate into society and keep young people out of prison. He also plans to release a book, "In No Sense," and is filming a documentary. Winn hopes that the younger generation will learn from his story.

Angola State Prison is also known as Louisiana State Penitentiary

Angola State Prison, also known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is located at the end of Highway 66, about 22 miles northwest of the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana (Highway 61). It is known for hosting an annual rodeo every Sunday in October, an event that has been running for 56 years.

Angola State Prison has a long and complex history. One notable case is that of Terrence Winn, who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, after spending 30 years behind bars, Winn was freed due to a US Supreme Court ruling that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Angola State Prison has been the subject of various media representations, including a documentary and a book titled "In No Sense" by Winn himself.

Angola is located at the end of Highway 66, approximately 22 miles northwest of St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Angola Prison Rodeo, a unique event held annually in October, attracts visitors from across the region. The rodeo is a longstanding tradition, with its wild and exciting atmosphere drawing crowds to witness the inmates' skills and bravery in a range of rodeo events. The prison also has a museum that offers insights into its history.

The journey to Angola is approximately 22 miles from St. Francisville, a small town in West Feliciana Parish. The route along Highway 66 takes visitors through rural landscapes, providing a glimpse of the area's natural beauty. The contrast between the peaceful surroundings and the prison's formidable reputation adds to the intrigue of the destination.

The Angola Prison Rodeo is a highly anticipated annual event, with tickets going on sale well in advance. The rodeo has become a prominent feature of the region's cultural calendar, with attendees eagerly anticipating the thrilling displays of skill and courage by the inmate participants.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, is a maximum-security prison with a long history. Its remote location, at the end of Highway 66, is a significant aspect of its design, intended to provide security and isolation for the inmate population. Angola has earned a reputation as a challenging and formidable correctional facility.

Angola hosts an annual rodeo every Sunday in October

Angola Prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is located 22 miles northwest of the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana. It hosts an annual rodeo every Sunday in October, an event often dubbed the "Wildest Show in the South!" The rodeo has been a tradition for 56 years, with tickets priced at $20 per person. Children aged 2 and under can attend for free as long as they sit on an adult's lap.

Angola Prison is also the site of a memorial for Terrie Oliveaux, who was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen Maureen "Maw Maw Bill" Brown Oliveaux. Helen was a longtime resident of Angola and an independent-thinking woman who enjoyed politics and was an excellent cook. She passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at the age of 81.

Angola Prison has a long and complex history, including housing inmates such as Terrence Winn, who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, after spending 30 years behind bars, Winn was freed due to a US Supreme Court ruling that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Angola was the site of a US Supreme Court ruling that juveniles can't be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

In the US, life imprisonment is the most severe punishment provided by law in states with no valid capital punishment statute and the second-most in those with a valid statute. Many US states offer parole after a decade or more, but some states, such as California, allow people sentenced to life imprisonment to apply for parole after seven years.

The US Supreme Court has, on several occasions, banned extreme adult sentences for youth. In Roper v. Simmons, the Court banned the death penalty for children under 18. In Graham v. Florida, the Court banned life without parole sentences for youth convicted of non-homicide crimes. In Miller v. Alabama, the Court banned mandatory sentences of life without parole for youth convicted of homicide crimes.

In 2021, the US Supreme Court decided its most recent decision on juvenile sentencing. In Jones v. Mississippi, the Court confirmed that age matters in sentencing but gave states latitude to create their own procedures for sentencing youth. While judges must consider the hallmark characteristics of youth, they need not make any specific findings regarding youth characteristics and a young person's eligibility for a life sentence.

The US is the only country in the world that permits youth to be sentenced to life without parole. Sentencing children to die in prison is condemned by international law. For children or adults, a sentence of life without parole is cruel, inhumane, and denies the individual's humanity. For children, the sentence also defies law and research confirming that youth are different from adults and must be treated differently by the legal system.

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