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Angola Louisiana State Penitentiary. Modern Day Proof That Prison Programming Works. A Rich History. LSP first built in Baton Rouge (circa 1835) Angola – Named after the Africa country where the slaves that once occupied the land came from Leased inmates Plantation purchased in 1880.
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AngolaLouisiana State Penitentiary Modern Day Proof That Prison Programming Works
A Rich History • LSP first built in Baton Rouge (circa 1835) • Angola – Named after the Africa country where the slaves that once occupied the land came from • Leased inmates • Plantation purchased in 1880
History cont. • Period of inmate brutality lead to public outcry • End of the inmate lease system • State of Louisiana claimed inmates in 1901 • 1916 – Creation of inmate trustees • Penitentiary expanded to current size of 18,000 acres in 1922
History cont. • Brutality boiled over in 1952 – Achilles’ Incident • Media attention drew reform • Inmate Trustee system eliminated in 1972 • Programming evolution
Prison Structure and Architecture • Dormitories • Single Sided Corridors • V-Houses • Small Home • Death Row and Segregation Units
Treatment of Inmates • Levels of earned freedom and trust • General Population • Big Stripes • Trustees • Civil treatment lead to reciprocation
Civil Treatment of Inmates • Correctional officers seemed less likely to have preconceived ideas • Open as long as the respect was mutual • Illinois – Treatment as substandard humans • Leads to… • Inmate distrust • Lack of cooperation • Lack of motivation
Civil Treatment of Inmates • Soft on Crime Argument • Trustee leeway • Segregation procedures • Status earned
Programs • S.T.E.P literacy training • License Plate Production • Religious Programming • Baptist • “The Rodeo”
Programs Unique to Angola • Farming • FOLKES Vocation College • Toy Shop • The Angolite • New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary • Associate and Baccalaureate Degrees • Volunteer Basis
Programming as Security • Idle hands are the devils work • Standardized work weeks • Structure • Privileges that come with hard labor • Living Conditions • Job Opportunities
Programming as Security • Participation • Low Wages • Extremely low compared to Illinois • Effects of not working • Working side by side
Programming Focus • Self Betterment • Possible Retribution • Supplement prison funding • The Angolite • Farm • Rodeo
“The Rodeo” • Work for inmates • Ethical dilemmas faced • Bribery of inmates • Inmate abuse • Inmate exploitation • Improper usage of funds
Difference in Systems • How Angola differs from Illinois • Proactive • Programs that are self-sufficient • Politically active employees • Union less of a force • Volunteerism • Faith based initiatives
Thoughts for Illinois • Change in policy on volunteerism • Political Activism • If change in programming occurs • What is needed? • Recidivism studies on those involved in programs • Increased volunteerism • Adequate separation of faith and government