Dennis Shere

I visited Angola and was extremely impressed at the changes that have been enacted. Warden Cain deserves a medal.

From cover: Warden Burl Cain is proving that moral rehabilitation is possible-even for the most hardened criminals.

Once called "the bloodiest prison in America," the Louisian State Penitentiary at Angola is now known as a place of hope for its more than 5,000 inmates. The credit for this unprecedented transformation is given to its one-of-a-kind warden, Burl Cain. His steadfast rejection of a "lock 'em up and throw away the key" mentality can be seen in the progressive, compassionate programs and sound correctional procedures he has implemented. But the hallmark of Cain's remarkable administration is his relentless efforts to help each inmate discover value and purose in his life, to experience true freedom of the soul.… (mehr)

From Amazon.com:
Formerly known as America's bloodiest prison, the 18,000 acres that comprise Louisiana's Angola State Penitentiary are now home to 5,000 inmates, a full range of seasonal crops, a 9-hole golf course, yearly rodeos, a Bible seminary, a museum, and much more. All of this came into being at the behest of Warden Burl Cain, who is now the longest-standing warden in the history of Angola prison. Under his leadership, the inmate population of 5,000 has gone from regular knife fights to Bible studies. Cain is a strong believer in the ability of the gospel to turn the most incorrigible of sinners into productive, moral citizens. Because eight out of ten prisoners are serving life sentences without parole at Angola, Cain has taken upon himself the task of making the lives of these prisoners productive and educational. Through a partnership with New Orleans Baptist Seminary, prisoners have the opportunity to get a bible degree and even be transferred to other prisons as a missionary.

The Angola phenomenon has been covered by such media outlets as Time Magazine, Christianity Today, and in the award-winning film documentary, The Farm: Angola, USA. Author Dennis Shere combines his background in journalism and law to bring readers this account of redemption and life change in the most unlikely of places: a maximum security prison.… (mehr)