Cain's Redemption: A Story of Hope and Transformation in America's Bloodiest Prison

by Dennis Shere

Formerly known as America's bloodiest prison, the 18,000 acres that comprise Louisiana's Angola State Penitentiary are now home to 5,000 inmates, a full range of seasonal crops, a 9-hole golf course, yearly rodeos, a Bible seminary, a museum, and much more. All of this came into being at the behest of Warden Burl Cain, who is now the longest-standing warden in the history of Angola prison. Under his leadership, the inmate population of 5,000 has gone from regular knife fights to Bible studies. Cain is a strong believer in the ability of the gospel to turn the most incorrigible of sinners into productive, moral citizens. Because eight out of ten prisoners are serving life sentences without parole at Angola, Cain has taken upon himself the task of making the lives of these prisoners productive and educational. Through a partnership with New Orleans Baptist Seminary, prisoners have the opportunity to get a bible degree and even be transferred to other prisons as a missionary.

The Angola phenomenon has been covered by such media outlets as Time Magazine , Christianity Today , and in the award-winning film documentary, The Angola, USA . Author Dennis Shere combines his background in journalism and law to bring readers this account of redemption and life change in the most unlikely of a maximum security prison.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Book Club, Nonfiction, True Story, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[NinaB · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
This is a fascinating story of a warden's compassion toward the forgotten hardened criminals imprisoned in Angola. I came away feeling convicted by my lack of care for such people, who also need the gospel.

It highlights the biblical worldview of the warden that allowed him to see the prisoners as humans, created in the image of God. Though they deserve their just punishment, they are still facing a lifetime of imprisonment with no hope. It seems the Lord has blessed Mr. Cain's effort. I would like to know that state of the prison now.

The reason I didn't give it more stars is because the writing was not very good. The author repeats himself often and the writing lacks skill.

[Jessica Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It's about Burl Cain, warden and Louisiana state penitentiary Angola.

The transformative power of God is beautifully portrayed in the stories of this prison and its prisoners. Though heartbreaking at times , the overall theme of the book is of hope and victory - regardless of circumstances.

[Michelle Ule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging and inspiring story of how the warden and his men changed the notorious Angola State Prison in Lousiana into a self-sufficient penitentiary (emphasis on penitent-iary) where prisoners are not simply left to rot and die.

Receommended.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an encouraging account of the power of God at work in the most unlikely of places. Highly recommend it!

[Kym McNabney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring story. A well written book that will send you on an emotional rollercoaster. This book IS NOT filled with a pack of lies, as one review seems to think. I met Dennis Shere, and Warden Cain, along with many of the inmates and those that work at Angola. Of course Angola is not a perfect place, run by perfect people, or has only perfect inmates. I don't believe that anyone ever made that claim. But what it is, is an amazing place with amazing things happening. Anyone who doubts this, start visiting different jails and prisons in your area, then go to Angola for several days, and tell me God isn't at work there.

The system is screwed up. The government is screwed up. People screw up. But God is good. With Him, all things are possible. I stayed at Angola for eight days. I ate there, slept there, worshiped with those that worked there, and those that were doing time there. I was so moved with what was going on there, I didn't want to leave.

I'm involved in the prison ministry and write to several inmates, including a handful from Angola. Great men with big hearts and a genuine devoted love for God. Look at how crowed our prison systems are! What the statistics show the reentry rate is. Isn't it obvious we're doing something wrong! I truly believe in my heart, that if all prison systems would adopt what Burl Cain is doing, along with places like, Koinonia House, in Illinois, and other great ministries, we would find a big dent in the cost of our prison system, for we would be truly reforming criminals, instead of slapping a number on them and writing them off. That's just not working...hello.

Hebrew 13:3 "Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies."

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book (2005). Warden Burl Cain of the Louisiana State Prison is in contol of over 5,000 prisoners (not to mention the number of employees required to make it all happen!). Any Louisiana tried prisoner whose sentencing is for over 40 years will be assigned to Angola (LSP). Angola is over 18,000 acres, and houses 7 separate prisons within its boundaries. Warden Cain's mother told him that he was sent there by God, and that he needed to make sure no prisoner went to his death w/o first knowing about Jesus. This is a wonderful example of what power and strength, compassion and true caring can come from a believer. A wonderful story of prison ministry...and hope for hopeless souls. You only wish every prison in America could hold these standards; but alas, not so, and it will be a sad day for LSP/Angola when Warden Cain retires or passes away.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read for my husband and I. We read it together to fill the time we spend driving to our prison ministry. It was great to read the stories of lives that are changing in the prison communities. As a society, we tend to focus on those who are unchanging, those who have lost all hope and have no desire to gain it back. It was incredible to read about the AMAZING things happening in what used to be one of the roughest prisons in America, to hear inspirational stories of men who see that GOD is using their incarceration for the good of the Kingdom and they are willing to respond to HIM! SUPER read!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring. From someone who has been on both sides of that gate and both sides of the law, this book really touched me. I believe in what Warden Cain is doing there at Angola and I think that prisons everywhere should follow suit. Very nicely written and hard to put down.

[Blake Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the Angola Prison in Louisiana. It documents the changes that have taken place as Burl Cain's vision has been implemented there. There are some personal stories of inmates also. There are several churches on the campus and as many as 2,000 committed Christians out of a prison population of about 5,000 men. It was once considered one of the worst and most dangerous prisons in the US. Now it has become a model for what other prisons can do.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book! What an insightful look into prison life, specifically in Angola! Warden Burl Cain's approach to moral rehabilitation has changed the culture of hopelessness and violence into somewhat of a biosphere of hope and purpose, where moral rehabilitation starts and ends with the power of God to transform even the worst of criminals. Warden Cain's understanding that rehabilitating criminals requires much more than teaching them to read and write appears to have been the impetus for the change in the overall culture inside this prison, and is demonstrably the only way for true moral rehabilitation. But how much change can actually take place in a prison? Well, how about creating a community in which inmates earn the freedom to roam around inside the prison without any supervision from security officers?! How about a rodeo and an arts and crafts show put on by inmates for outside participants. How about the privileges to work in the hobby shops, producing leather crafts for the rodeo?! How about the inmates learning trades, helping others, having the opportunity to earn a college education from inside the prison?! How about the inmates getting a seminary education and learning to become inmate ministers, prison lawyers, or teachers of literacy?! Welcome to Angola Prison! This is how moral rehabilitation is done - only with the power of God!

[BB · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for a trip to visit Angola (the Louisiana State Penitentiary) in January 2015. I had real trouble with the position that Warden Cain takes -- that everyone in prison is inherently immoral because moral people don't commit crimes. I completely disagree with that perspective. Nonetheless, the insight into how this prison has reduced violence by way of seminary teachings is interesting, even if the reader may have trouble with the warden's viewpoints or personal positions.

[Laura Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently visited Angola for work and met Warden Cain. I have to say this was one of the nicest prisons I have ever seen. The inmates were very respectful and I was impressed with the way they interacted with our group. The programs at this institution really do seem to give inmates a sense of purpose and do good things for not only the prison community but for the larger community.

I liked the book. I liked it a lot.

[Scott Kalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read on how not only a prison was transformed but many lives of the inmates who call Angola home were transformed through moral rehabilitation which it self came through Jesus Christ.

I've been to Angola a few times and each visit is a life remembering time sitting with and getting to know the men of Angola and hearing how God has changed them

[Missy Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this inspirational story of how God works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things. In a day when Christianity is persecuted, Warden Cain is able to institute moral rehabilitation in one of the nation's most dangerous prisons despite all the separation of church and state. Only God could orchestrate what is happening at Angola.

[Tiffani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story well-worth being told, and well-worth being read. The delivery, however, was disappointing. I would recommend it none-the-less. It may well shake up your views of life in prison (or what life in prison COULD be).

[Rebeccah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but very one-sided. The author mostly ignores the numerous scandals involving Warden Burl Cain. I have a hard time reconciling the Warden portrayed in the book with the one I read about in the newspapers.

[Randy Gibbon]

Burl Cain is doing it the right way.

very educational about prison life and the challenges both inmates and Warden face.
a must read if you are from Louisiana or have interest in Angola.

[Lee T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glowing report of Warden Burl Cain's transformation of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, considered the most bloody prison in America.

[Shawn Liner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Every voter should read this book. Really opened my eyes to prison and rehabilitation.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. The beginning was interesting and the last few chapters were good too becuase of the stories. The rest was kind of repetitive.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about Angola, the Louisiana State Prison, and Warden Cain who changed things there for the better.

[Anita Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. Angola prison was known as the worst prison in the US and this is the story of Warden Burl Cain and how he changed it.

[Pixismiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the good side of Warden Burl Cain. We'll leave it at that. Some stories in the book are very touching. Some stories in the book are hilarious and true to life.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little preachy at times, but overall a very good read.

[Kjeanee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great story, poorly written

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about Warden Cain who helped turn Angola State prison around.