Life in Angola Prison, a "Land of New Beginnings"

Get an exclusive look inside Angola Prison in the all-new series Louisiana Lockdown, where Warden Burl Cain’s "Land of New Beginnings" offers inmates "eight seconds of freedom" in a unique Animal Correctional Program.  Cathy Fontenot, Assistant Warden, offers insights into the prison population and staff.

Louisiana State Penitentiary currently is budgeted to house 5,145 maximum-security offenders.  Our current count stands at 5,316 however.  There are 3,992 Lifers and 85 on Death Row.  Of the remaining population of those who are eligible for parole, the average sentence length is 93 years.  Last year a total of 52 offenders were released and 37 offenders died in custody.

The greatest resource we have at Angola is our professional and dedicated staff and our morally rehabilitated offender population.  It takes people to make a difference in correcting deviant behavior. 

The programs that have made the biggest impact on decreasing violent behavior were established with little or no funding.  The on-site seminary, hospice and reentry programs utilize available staff and offenders and receive financial support from community and faith based volunteers.  Equipment and supplies are the institutions biggest needs and often times in-kind donations as well as funds generated from the rodeo and rodeo concessions serve well to support our progressive and effective offender programs. 


Welcome inside the gates of Animal Planet groundbreaking new series LOUISIANA LOCKDOWN, premiering Friday, June 1, at 10 PM ET/PT, set inside one of the country’s largest maximum-security penitentiaries, Angola Prison.  Tune in for exclusive in-depth access to a prison with a fierce reputation and distinctive setup.

 

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Photo Caption: Cathy Fontenot, Assistant Warden, at Angola Prison (Credit: DCL)

 

Comments

[mark meyers]

You are hot

[concernedlouisianacitizen]

Imagine being a victim of crime that was committed, turning on your TV and seeing inmates of Angola practically being moviestars! Telling their story for everyone to see. Very poor choice for entertainment.

[Patrick Dougherty]

Man that warden Cathy Fontenot is too hot! What does a guy have to do to get sentenced to Angola? I saw the picture of her when she was really young and just starting out there, and the only thing I can say is she has aged very well. She's a little doll, I can't believe she had 3 kids.

[corey]

I have family in that place.my grandfather died behind them walls. But I think that's a great show to educate young peole about prison life.

[Natchiyappan]

Nice

[NATCHIYAPPAN]

SUPERP