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Burl Cain

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Burl Cain was named Warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) in January 1995 by Secretary Richard Stalder. Known for his innovative approaches in prison management, Warden Cain holds a degree from the Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Grambling University and has more than 30 years experience in corrections[1].

LSP is the largest prison in the United States and many of the inmates will never be released. He is a religious man and believes the only way to give his inmates hope is in the form of eternal life, and to this end encourages a spiritual atmosphere in the prison.[2]

He is the longest-standing warden in the history of LSP. Under his leadership, the inmate population of 5,000 has seen a decrease in violent incidents. The changes he brought about at the prison are the subject of the 2005 book 'Cain's Redemption' by Dennis Shere.

Cain's Christian-based message and his belief that religion can turn the lives of even the most hardened criminal around has been so successful at keeping the peace at LSP that other states have referred to it as a model. His approach though, is not without legal challenges. In August, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit accusing Warden Cain and the Louisiana state prison system of hindering a Mormon inmate's access to religious texts.[3]


References

  1. ^ http://www.corrections.state.la.us/LSP/ANNUALRPT2006.pdf
  2. ^ http://www.charlierose.com/guests/burl-cain
  3. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/12/arts/12radi.html?ex=1302494400&en=cb49333113b63809&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss


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