Reuniting Families: Father-Daughter Dance at Louisiana State Penitentiary

The **Louisiana State Penitentiary**, also known as Angola, is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, located on an 18,000-acre site in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Its history is deeply intertwined with the legacy of slavery and the convict leasing system that followed the Civil War. Originally a plantation owned by Isaac Franklin, the site was named after the homeland of its enslaved workers from Angola, a southern African nation[2][3]. ## Organization and Mission The prison's mission is to provide custody, control, care, and treatment of inmates, focusing on public safety and rehabilitation[5]. It employs about 2,000 correctional officers and houses approximately 5,100 inmates, mostly African Americans[1][3]. The facility operates under the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and is part of a statewide network of correctional institutions. ## History and Challenges Angola's history is marked by brutality and neglect, earning it the nickname "America's Bloodiest Prison." In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was infamous for its harsh conditions and the convict leasing system[4][6]. The state took control in 1901, improving conditions gradually. However, the prison faced numerous challenges, including floods and financial struggles[4][6]. ## Key Achievements and Current Status Notable achievements include the elimination of the trustee guard system and the desegregation of facilities[1]. Angola has been accredited by the American Correctional Association, and federal court supervision ended in 1999[1]. Today, it continues to evolve, focusing on rehabilitation and public safety. Inmates are involved in agricultural activities, growing vegetables to meet the prison's needs[1]. ## Notable Aspects Angola is also known for its cultural activities, including the Angola Rodeo and the publication of the award-winning *Angolite* newspaper[7][8]. The prison's history and operations are preserved and showcased

The Angola Prison, officially known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, located on an 18,000-acre former plantation in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. It traces its origins back to 1880 when the land, originally an 8,000-acre slave plantation named Angola, was converted into a prison camp by former Confederate Major Samuel L. James. James operated the prison under a convict leasing system that essentially perpetuated slavery through forced labor under brutal conditions, with inmates working in plantation fields, levee construction, and railroads[1][2][3]. In 1901, the state of Louisiana purchased the prison from the James family, taking direct control and attempting some reforms, though conditions remained harsh and violent for decades. The prison functioned as a self-sufficient community with farms, factories, and a mail system, but it was notorious for extreme brutality, racial segregation, and high rates of inmate violence. By the mid-20th century, Angola was widely regarded as one of America’s worst prisons, symbolizing the persistence of slavery-like conditions well into the modern era[1][4]. Key historical moments include the 1951 "Heel String Gang" protest, where inmates mutilated themselves to resist forced labor and cruelty, leading to the eventual abolition of corporal punishment at Angola[1][5]. The 1970s brought legal and reform efforts after the American Bar Association condemned the prison’s medieval conditions, culminating in court-ordered reforms to end abusive trustee systems and improve inmate treatment[4]. Today, Angola is still operational as a maximum-security prison but carries a complex legacy reflecting the intersection of American history, criminal justice, and systemic racial oppression. Notable aspects include its origins as a plantation, the continuation of forced labor practices, and ongoing efforts by inmates and reformers to improve dignity and conditions within the prison[5]. Angola remains a powerful symbol of the challenges facing the U

## Overview God Behind Bars is a nationally-recognized Christian prison ministry organization dedicated to reaching incarcerated individuals with the Gospel and addressing recidivism through spiritual, physical, and relational support.[1][5] The organization operates across Federal and State prisons nationwide, from Florida to Alaska and New York to California, partnering with state Departments of Corrections to connect inmates with local churches and faith-based resources.[3] ## Mission and Impact The organization addresses a critical gap in American society: approximately 1.9 million people are affected by incarceration annually, making this the most unchurched population in the country.[1][5] God Behind Bars tackles the significant recidivism problem—with 27% of released inmates returning to prison within three years and 82% within ten years—by focusing on comprehensive rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.[5] ## Key Programs and Innovation The organization operates through two primary models. First, it establishes satellite church locations within prisons, where volunteer teams from partner churches conduct weekly services using high-definition audio and video equipment, creating dynamic worship experiences that have reportedly transformed prison cultures.[1][3] Second, God Behind Bars developed **PandoApp**, a revolutionary faith-based application launched in 2021 and the first faith-based app permitted on Department of Corrections inmate tablets.[1] This free app delivers sermons, devotionals, podcasts, worship music, and Christian content directly to inmates 24/7.[3][4] ## Getting Involved The organization operates on a partnership model, relying on churches, volunteers, and donors to fuel its mission.[4] Monthly donors contribute just $10 to help reach hundreds of thousands of incarcerated individuals monthly.[1] Volunteers facilitate prison church campuses entirely through grassroots efforts, while the organization provides training, resources, and tools to maximize impact.[