Angola Prison

Angola Prison houses more than 5,000 prisoners in the hurricane-ravaged area of Louisiana. Over 100 inmates are on Death Row. The average sentence is 88 years imprisonment. It is estimated that two out of every three prisoners will die at Angola. It was once referred to as “the bloodiest prison in America.” This was the backdrop for my trip in March 2006 to the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola.
The morning of the first day I traveled with a team that went to D Camp. At the outdoor event we were separated from the prisoners by what seemed like a bullpen. We could see the men on either side of us. After the event, the officers unlocked the gates and we could go into the yards where the men were. As we walked through and visited with the men, the gates closing behind us had finality to it. There were many conversations and many requests for prayer.

In the afternoon under an overcast sky, we went to C Camp. It seemed like my main task was to pray for the weather to hold, as we were once again outdoors. All we experienced were a few drops, despite the threatening weather. God was good!

That night I had the opportunity to team up with another volunteer and go to the infirmary, where we visited those who were sick. Some men told us of one of their friends who had recently passed away, pointing to the place on the floor where he had died. An older gentleman sitting quietly in a wheelchair simply looked up at us as we walked over and said, “It’s time.” With tears rolling down his cheeks, he gave his life to the Lord. I can recall their faces as they shared their stories with us – stories of crime, addiction, and pain. We prayed with the men and were silent as we left. The visit had made a tremendous impact on us.

The next morning I awoke to 2 Co. 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed; but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” That morning a group of us went to J-Camp. J is known as the place where the offenders who were most dangerous and difficult were kept. As we stood among the men, the Spirit of God flowed through the yard. We had the opportunity to once again pray with several men, who were so thankful that we would come to J-Camp, a place often skipped over because of the danger.

All I can share about the afternoon experience is how humbling it was for me. I left Angola that afternoon with a new understanding of prison. Some men asked if we could find their children or relatives, who they hadn’t heard from since Hurricane Katrina.

On April 1st we prepared to attend the Franklin Graham Crusade, held on the Rodeo Grounds at Angola. I awoke at 3:30AM with John 14:20 in my mind, which reads: “On that day you will realize that I am in My Father and you are in Me, and I am in you.” How appropriate a Scripture for a day where so many gave their lives to Jesus Christ.

I won’t forget the image of the prisoners sitting across from us in the stadium. I won’t forget the man who was a double amputee. I won’t forget the person we prayed with who had AIDS. I won’t forget the man who openly confessed he was a sex offender. I won’t forget walking into the chapel and seeing the men weeping. I won’t forget the man who had the Bible open to the Book of Joel in his cell. I won’t forget the Angola Choir singing “Genesis.” I won’t forget Warden Cain, the officers, and the volunteers. Angola is a place I won’t forget.