Louisiana State Penitentiary : Rehabilitative Services / Work Programs

The Angolite Magazine

In 1976 the Louisiana State Penitentiary lifted the traditional lid of censorship giving The Angolite, its official prisoner publication, freedom to publish whatever it desired, subject to the same standards governing professional journalism.  It represented America's boldest experiment in journalism and freedom of expression in the world behind bars.  The result was a provocative bi-monthly newsmagazine that went on to earn some of the nation's most coveted press awards.  Individuals from all over the country subscribe to the magazine.

Character Counts

The Character Counts Curriculum teaches participants to develop both mental and moral character.  The goal of Character Counts is to enable the participants  to move from a negative frame of mind to a positive productive character reference base.  Over 90% of the inmate population are involved in this program.

The Character Counts program promotes a value-based curriculum built on the concept of the "Six Pillars of Character."  This program is central to programming at LSP.  Inmates are informed on a regular basis about the designated character pillar of the month and how its principles can and should be applied to everyday living.

Educational Programs

Inmate Organizations

KLSP - Radio Station

Kids Activity Center

The Kids Activity Center was designed to encourage bonding between the fathers and the children that come to visit.  It was felt that if the children and the fathers could share a book or another similar activity, it would strengthen the bond that had been weakened because of the father's absence from the home.

Parenting Skills

The goal of the Parenting Skills program is to make a sustained lasting impact on crime prevention.  This program focuses on educating current and future incarcerated parents, grandparents, and caregivers of methods in which to raise healthier and more nurtured children who will be less at-risk for criminal activity.  A parenting skills curriculum is offered to all inmates at LSP who are within one year of release.

Prison Enterprises

Faith-Based Programming

The Chaplains Department directly supervises all religious programming for Louisiana State Penitentiary.  Many religious denominations are recognized without preferential treatment to any single group.  Hundreds of citizen volunteers comprise the heart of religious programming available daily to the inmate population.  The combination of inmate-led organizations and citizen volunteers unite to produce a variety of faith-based rehabilitative programs.  Citizen volunteers facilitate bible studies, worship services, and prayer groups on a weekly basis.  Inmate organizations with religious agendas create unique local churches led by inmate pastors.  These local churches attracted the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) to establish a seminary extension center at LSP.  The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's "Angola Campus" is unique in the State and in the nation.  The seminary offers two college level degree programs:  An Associate Degree in Christian Ministries and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Ministries.  In January 2000, 19 inmates received Bachelor's Degrees in Christian Ministries.

Initially, the "Bible College" was established as a way for inmates to educate themselves and to grow spiritually.  Their new skills and insights would be applied in the context of the prison's programs.  A new plan emerged however.  Some inmates who have earned their Bachelor's Degree are now being transferred to other Louisiana prisons, where they work under the supervision of the Chaplain to strengthen religious programming at that prison.  Presently, Bible College graduates are serving at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (St. Gabriel, LA), Dixon Correctional Institute (Jackson, LA), Washington Correctional Institute (Angie, LA), Wade Correctional Institute (Homer, LA), C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center (Dequincy, LA), and Corrections Corporation of America (Winnfield, LA).

The NOBTS graduates become ministers (under supervision of the Chaplains Department) with the goal of evangelizing their peers.  This is accomplished by the Inmate Ministers becoming facilitators in bible studies, worship services, prayer groups and a Certificate Program recognized and accredited by NOBTS.

The health of the religious programming at Angola is measured by the health of the local churches supervised by the Chaplains Department.  Records of membership, attendance, baptisms and other faith-based activities are sure indicators of a healthy religious environment at LSP.  The prison in its previous unhealthy condition was known for its violence and frequent escape attempts.  Currently, Angola displays a peaceful and safe environment, which is the best evidence of a successful, healthy religious program.