Compelling Stories: How 'Louisiana Lockdown' Made it to Animal Planet

At first glance, some may be curious what a show like "Lousiana Lockdown" is doing on Animal Planet. Focusing on the 5,300 inmates at Louisiana's Angola Prison, the show documents how the inmates can either choose to rebel and live in despair or cooperate and earn privileges at the pentitentiary - most of which allow them to work with animals.

I had a chance to ask Animal Planet Executive Producer Keith Hoffman and "Louisiana Lockdown's" showrunner Lisa Bloch about the series. And with their insight, it makes perfect sense as to why such a powerful show has a place in the Animal Planet lineup. Those of us here on Animal Planet know just how important the human-animal relationship is - and we're guessing that you do too. So learn a little bit more about Animal Planet's newest show and tune in Fridays at 10PM E/P.

Why did you decide to tell this story?

Lisa Bloch (LB): For years I had heard stories and read news articles about Angola Prison, the most infamous penitentiary in the US. I knew Angola was a place with a long history; a unique institution that houses some of the country’s most hardened criminals. But I also knew that Angola was a place of contradictions. For some men, it is the end of the road, while for others it is the place that they start afresh. So, there was no way I could pass up the opportunity to make a television series within the prison's iron bars.

And I’m glad I went forward with it.  Angola is not your average prison. And the inmates and staff who live there provide riveting and dramatic stories. 

Keith Hoffman (KH): We were interested in the subculture of Angola Prison. It's a world so far removed from the rest of society in a remote area of Louisiana. Even the guards live in a community on the grounds almost side by side with the  dangerous men. We were interested how the staff and prisoners function in this world especially as they prepare and participate in a rodeo where convicted criminals (most with a life sentence) compete against each other and mix with the general public. 

How did you select your key characters?  Were featured inmate stories nominated by prison staff? How did you identify who's stories to share?

LB: In terms of choosing inmate characters, at first we were really following stories of rodeo contestants.  Each year, hundreds of Angola inmates compete for a chance at glory in the inmate rodeo. There was the rookie, who got on a bull for the very first time in front of 10,000 spectators, and the old-timer who was hoping to compete despite having lost a kidney.

These stories were a great start for us. But I also wanted stories of the men who weren’t competing: prisoners on disciplinary lockdown, inmates entering Angola for the first time, and men who were dying behind bars. So we spent long days inside the prison’s darkest corners, talking to men and identifying compelling characters.

Inmates or officers - were there any particular stories of anyone that stood out to you that you felt HAD to be told?  And, why?

LB: What’s so amazing about Angola is that it is a gigantic place. The prison has 5300 convicts, spread out in numerous prison camps over 18,000 acres.  And everyone, I mean everyone, has a crazy story. But I knew we couldn’t have 5300 episodes, so ultimately we just went with what was happening in real time, before our eyes.

We shot a new inmate, just 23 years old, meeting his grandfather for the first time at Angola. That was unbelievable. They had never met, and now both men are lifers, living under the same roof.  All that happened in the span of time that we were filming so we were able to capture the drama. It was really unbelievable to witness.

And we got the opportunity to film an emotional story of an inmate reconnecting with his son after a 10-year estrangement. It was a once in a lifetime moment. And I knew it had to be told.

Plus, some pretty dramatic things happened to our staff characters. I don’t want to give the stories away, but let’s just say there’s trouble in paradise.

KH: The story of Tiger—a prisoner convicted of murder who gets to see his son for the first time in over 10 years at the rodeo--was a emotionally powerful story we wanted to tell.

The story of Bones—a lifer who is the prison undertaker and must now help a new inmate (his grandson!) accept that he will also be spending his life in Angola--is quite unique and powerful.

The story of Officer Slater trying to play Mr. Mom and keep up his stressful job at the prison as his marriage breaks up was a sad story but one we knew we wanted to tell. 

Stay tuned for more insight from Hoffman and Bloch in upcoming Bites blog posts!

 

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Jodi Westrick is an Associate Interactive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com.

 

Comments

[Fitflops]

Some girls want to disguise their little chest. Today's article is for top advice. I want to give some tips for those who have small breasts

[Elizabeth Hale]

I understand how people feel about angola but not everyone is in there for murder and I have a very good friend in there for being at the wrong place at the wrong time so to all of you that think you know all about it you dont so before you judge think about how they feel!

[Brian Simoneau]

i love the show and I think that Animal Planet does a great job with it. Warden Burl Cain is a remarkable person. He transformed Angola from one of the bloodiest prisons to a safe place where there is comparatively little violence. Also, it is great to see Warden Cathy Fontenot balance being a single mom with her duties as Assistant Warden. She shows that women can be very successful and do very well in senior leadership positions.I hope that her coverage on the show encourages other women in law enforcement and corrections to further their careers and advance themselves.

[JC]

You got it all wrong!!! Mr Sikes is no war hero in fact he never left the country. He is a coward that went AWOL to come back and murder a friend because he was stupid enough to think he could get away with it and get a stupid girl. Then he called the cops on himself and begged them to come get him before Mr. Brown found him. By the way Mr. Brown (victims father) also raised mr. Sikes for 4 years and attended his graduation from boot camp. Pleas do a little more research before you post complete falsehoods.

[Diane Standage]

I love this show. Please bring it back.

[Michelle]

I LOVE this show. I have been to the Angola Prison rodeo twice and I love it. I love how the warden runs this prison. He has a system of rewards and punishment. He fosters the ability to love a life of dignity and redemption which I think is wonderful. If you are OPEN enough to hear the stories of these men- you will find alot of them talk about when they were "young" and didnt know any better. I feel everyone should be given a chance to change your life. I love this show and I love the stories. I was so sad I watched the season finale. I hope they can continue this show-its awesome. Thank you Animal Planet!

[Sarah]

I liked this show because of the warden.I had seen him on other lockdown shows I presume,& liked how he treated inmates & his employees with dignity & respect. Now I'm more impressed with his wisdom in disciplining inmates but also "rewarding" them too.And a horse auction where the proceeds are used for education of the inmates? How great is that? Learning to train the animals teaches the criminals life skills & earns the instution money at no further cost to the taxpayer.

[willie]

I doubt AP has any show that has less to do with animals. An old guy is such a good prisoner that they let him drive the horse that carries dead bodies to their graves. Kinda makes you feel all warm an fuzzy inside eh? What a crock

[Tammy]

For those of you that are against this show...I can guarantee you that these inmates are not getting any fame or fortune off of this show...I am glad that Animal Planet came out with this show, and I hope it stays around for a long time...I once worked at Angola, and I can tell you this, it has changed my life greatly...These guys are still people just like you and I...So before you start judging them, maybe you should stop and take a look back at your past...Because I am sure that you have done something wrong in your past that you are not proud of...Somethings that could have landed you in prison, and you just didnt get caught, and some that may not have landed you in prison...But folks, SIN IS SIN...There is no big sin or little sin...So I hope and pray that everyone of you that have made harsh comments on here dont end up in prison...Because even an accident can land you there...Cause guess what, if you are driving down the road and you lose control of your car and kill someone, well you just better hope you dont go to prison, can that is just where that can get you...Wouldnt that be SAD...because then people will be saying that same thing about you...But God will forgive them and you/we should too...Again, thank you Warden Cain and staff for allowing Animal Planet to do this show...Keep up the good work Angola Staff...

[Vicki]

So, what's next? Going to give them CHILDREN for a daycare? I feel sorry for those horses! I feel sorry for the victims who have to see their family member's KILLER riding around on a horse and behaving as if they are "such good people" that they get all these rewards. LOCK EM UP and throw away the key. Rehabilitate them for WHAT? LIFE IS LIFE. Rehabilitate them for the hold in the prison waiting for them? Like the HOLE their victims are in? This show is a DISGRACE!!!!

[JP]

I watched this show tonight for the first time. I heard about it because I visited Angola not to long ago. While the stories that Animal Planet is sharing are touching, I was able to see the real story of Angola Prison. The real story, is that God is doing an amazing redemptive work at Angola. Men are coming to faith in Christ, being discipled and then going into the ministry. Some will even be sent to other prisons to minister to prisoners there. Warden Cain brought to Angola the only thing that could change the "bloodiest prison in America" and that is the gospel. Yes, the inmates at Angola have committed crimes, which the are paying for, but God's forgiveness sees no distinction in sin, it sees only those who repent and those who do not.

[CD]

I understand the views of those that oppose this show and those that agree with it. Most of these people did terrible things and should be punished, yet if they chose to become better people (keep in mind they're still inside prison!!) while locked up, why should we argue against that?! They will still serve their time. Also, it's called spell check people!

[concernedlouisianacitizen]

This is insane. They will make anything a TV show! The people behind those bars are in there for a reason and should not be rewarded for it! If they are in there for murder does the person they murdered get to see their kids or family ever again? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This show makes me physically sick!

[Wendy Adkins]

I LOVE this show. I understand people having issues with them being criminals, but giving people a reason to hope keeps that prison running smoothly, which keeps guards alive. I loved the story about Tiger and his son. People make mistakes, and they are being punished for it, but that warden is a Godsend for that place. He treats them fair. More prisons should take a long look at this show, and maybe implement some of those programs in theirs. I know first hand people can do something bad, serve time, come out and change. My husband serves 10 1/2 years in prison for vehicle manslaughter, got out, had a job within 2 weeks, got custody of his 2 kids, owns his own home, and works like a dog everyday. He also met with the victim's family and let them them know how sorry he is, and he has learned from that mistake. I hope this show stay on television, and can help deter kids from crime, but also show people that there are reasons to give lifers hope in prison.

[One]

people can change! with inspiration, and age

[moniQ]

By chance tuned into the show, unexpected on the animal channel. It was the episode with inmate Tiger meeting his Son 1st time. extremely emotional. Some do appear to becoming rehabliated and wardden seems passionate. How would One go about writing to this inmate?

[Amands]

I just watched the show for the first time this evening and I liked it.Reading some of the comments though has really disturbed me.Prision is not fun any way you look at at it and its not one shake down a day i've seen a prision have 8 or 9 a day.But to me if a person can go to jail and change then I say good for them.God is the only on who can judge so before you start criticizing someone or the show look out your back down.They who casts the first down is hiding something.I'm not saying it won't hurt the victims but even if you committed a crime you do have a right to live without further prosecution.I'm glad the show does show a softer side of inmats.

[Margaret]

I just started watching the show tonight and although these men are criminals, maybe kids seeing what they have to go through on a day to day basis may keep them from making the same mistakes. I mean really people. These kids see way worse on the news, movies and video games. This is real life and shows what happens when you can't conform to society's laws. So before you start being judgemental about this show, think about how tv, movies and music glamorize breaking rules and laws. I say thumbs up to animal planet for doing this show and thumbs up the the prisoners putting their lives and their families lives out there to show what going to prison can do not just to them but to their families as well.

[Irish]

Personally I hope the show will fail,some of ye approve but I do NOT for personal reasons,I have a family member there who murdered 3 people and is serving 3 life time terms as he should,he was cruel and vile,he is not a person who likes animals,the spawn I birthed because of him is just like him,cruel to animals,I want this show gone.

[Dodie LeJeune]

I just started watching Louisiana Lockdown hoping to see a glimpse of my brother-in-law. He has been in Angola for almost 10 years now and is only 34 years old, but he is not a murderer, rapist or armed robber as the beginning of the show states is housed there. He is one of the few or many depending on how you look at it, that was railroaded by our justice system. He is serving a 100years for three attempted first degree murder charges, even though he never pulled the trigger. I wish Louisiana Lockdown would tell his story. A hundred years for threats, not murder. Some of these prisoners need someone to be there voice outside the prison.

[Bill D]

Although the stories are compelling and the concept very interesting, I think this show is a terrible idea. First and foremost it glamorizes and desensetizes people to prison by focusing on all the good parts of Angola with an occasional strip search. It is also a giant slap in the face to the victims of these hardcore criminals. Most of which are repeat offenders. Not only are we rewarding these criminals with the fun and fame of doing a show and getting to tell the stories, we are conpletly forgetting about the victoms of these mend brutal and violent crimes. Imagine knowing the man that raped you or murdered your child is now a famous TV celebrity. It's despicable. I think Angolas progress with their adoption of the concept of rewarding good behavior is to be commended, but showing casing to the world a distorted glamorous view of prison is morally reprehensible. Shame on you Animal Planet. BIG MISTAKE!

[Rhonda reeder]

For the ones who choose to disagree. Let's step back for a minute and let's not be so judgemental. Speaking is a sister of one of those inmates! Being able to have these shows helps me feel closer to my famiy member as well as the rest of his family and friends. I saw him in the opening of the mississippi flooding and it brought relief and some heartache to my heart and soul. Seeing what its like on the inside. Something that most of us will never experience. And some of us who have. There are a lot of innocent people in there but more guilty, but that shouldn't stop them from living and telling their stories. I think this is great for Louisiana even though Angola is the worst of the worst, but there is always good that comes from every bad. Let's keep this in mind. And if you continue to disagree then I would really like for you to do some research on Angola. We are all human! We all hurt and have hurt someone at one point or another, maybe not to the extremes of these people whom are giving back with their lives, but we all deserve a second change at some freedom even when it's been confined to a solitary confinement cell for the last 4 years. God forgives all of the sinners! And doesn't want to see his children being treated this way after he has forgiven their hearts and souls! Let these prisoners breath the God given fresh air as we all do!

[Kim]

I really love this show and I see the benefit in the programs that this warden has instituted. You want prisons to have programs to rehabilitate their inmates because you don't want inmates coming back out into society the same way they went in. Animals are beneficial in many therapeutic exercises and I think it's great to see this side of things.

[Brandy]

I like the show and I go to the rodeo most every year. I believe people can change.

[Eric]

That's nice. Give the criminals a reward for committing crimes. How happy and proud are the victims, if they are alive? How about their families? What a disgrace. Prison fun and television are so much more important. Shameful!