Prison changes

Louisiana State Penitentiary, often just called Angola,  is located on the site of an old plantation by that name. Populated largely by "lifers," it used to be notorious for violence, murder, and hopelessness.

But there's been a "moral rehabilitation"  under warden Burl Cain.  When policeman Gary Hobbs visited, he said he didn't feel threatened, didn't hear foul language.

"In Mr. Cain’s view, the biggest change came in 1995 when, as he took over the prison and faced drastic cuts in school funds, he invited the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to open a seminary. To his surprise, he said, the eminent seminary agreed, covering the costs with outside donations.