Smart on Crime at Angola
Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison, is no stranger to tradition. The state’s largest federal prison is home to the Angola Prison Rodeo which draws thousands annually and is the longest running prison rodeo in the US, dating back to 1965. Last month, Louisiana State Penitentiary might have witnessed a new tradition being born, the Father Daughter Dance that drew national attention.
God Behind Bars, a national prison ministry, brought together more than 30 daughters with their incarcerated fathers. They decorated a room within the facility and made sure that the daughters and their fathers were dressed to the nines. The event produced viral videos of fathers overjoyed to embrace their fathers and share a dance and special moments with them. Those reporting on the event described a pre-choreographed dance that the dads performed for their daughters and many tears of joy.
This was more than just a wonderful day for these families; it reiterated a message of hope and redemption, not only for the incarcerated dads, but also their children who many fail to remember are impacted, too. Connection with family, community, and resources can provide strong incentives for rehabilitation. Encouraging these fathers to be part of their daughters’ life is a step on the path to successful reentry back into society and helps those relationships to grow and heal.
While it remains to be seen whether the dance will continue for years to come, it undoubtedly left an impact and offered memories that will stand the test of time. The collaboration between Louisiana State Penitentiary and God Behind Bars is a testament to the power of efforts that leverage the private and nonprofit sectors to meet the needs of prisoners without increasing cost to taxpayers.
Earlier this month, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visited the same Angola prison to discuss some of its other events including the rodeo, celebrations for Veteran’s Day, and the Marine Corps birthday. Sitting roundtable with members of the Department of Corrections (DOC), Governor Landry expanded on his pardoning of an incarcerated veteran, saying, “there is mercy to be shown…we want to give them hope.” He indicated that he will continue considering the use of pardons to communicate a message of mercy and as a way to uplift veterans in particular. This approach identifies the pressing need for a justice system that honors the nuances of each particular case and finds ways to honor the service of veterans.
The governor also encouraged the efforts of the DOC and officials at Angola to make the prison more self-sustaining. For example, the rodeo is a lucrative event that also brings joy and purpose to the inmates. The money generated by the rodeo operation helps the prison to support itself and strengthens existing programs, all while punctuating the incarcerated person’s year with something to look forward to. The dual benefits of the Angola rodeo are a blueprint for using programs to rehabilitate while addressing some of the state’s costs.
Louisiana State Penitentiary is drawing headlines for the right reasons: collaboration with nonprofits, events that offer morale and rehabilitation, gatherings that help to reunite families, and strategies that ease the burden on tax payers while galvanizing internal budgets. This is what it means to be smart on crime.
