Burl Cain
Encyclopedia
N. Burl Cain was named Warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary
(LSP) in January 1995 by Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard Stalder. He is the brother of James David Cain
and Alton Cain. Known for his approaches in prison management, Warden Cain holds a degree from Louisiana State University
and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University
and has more than 30 years experience in
corrections.
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.
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
.
Previously Cain was the warden of the Dixon Correctional Institute
. After accepting the job at Angola, he continued to live on the grounds of Dixon. By 1997 Cain, now warden of Angola, continued to live at Dixon.
In 2010 Cain was one of the speakers in Calvin College
's January series.
filed a lawsuit accusing Warden Cain and the Louisiana state prison system of hindering a Mormon inmate's access to religious texts.
Louisiana State Penitentiary
The Louisiana State Penitentiary is a prison farm in Louisiana operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. It is the largest maximum security prison in the United States with 5,000 offenders and 1,800 staff...
(LSP) in January 1995 by Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Richard Stalder. He is the brother of James David Cain
James David Cain
James David Cain, Sr. is a retired farmer and rancher from the Dry Creek community in eastern Beauregard Parish, who is a former Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate....
and Alton Cain. Known for his approaches in prison management, Warden Cain holds a degree from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
and has more than 30 years experience in
corrections.
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.
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
Dennis Shere
Dennis Shere is the author of two books. In August, 2005, he wrote ', a book about the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. In November, 2010, he wrote "The Last Meal -- Defending an Accused Mass Murderer," , the story of the murder of seven fast food workers, and the arrest and conviction of...
.
Previously Cain was the warden of the Dixon Correctional Institute
Dixon Correctional Institute
Dixon Correctional Institute is a prison facility in Jackson, Louisiana. DCI, a facility of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, is approximately from Baton Rouge...
. After accepting the job at Angola, he continued to live on the grounds of Dixon. By 1997 Cain, now warden of Angola, continued to live at Dixon.
In 2010 Cain was one of the speakers in Calvin College
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
's January series.
Challenges
Cain promotes a Christian-based message and his belief that religion can turn the lives of inmates. Other states used Cain's strategy as a model. In August 2005, the American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
filed a lawsuit accusing Warden Cain and the Louisiana state prison system of hindering a Mormon inmate's access to religious texts.
External links
- http://thinkexist.com/quotes/burl_cain/ Cain Quotes
- http://www.billygraham.org/DMag_article.asp?ArticleID=695 Violence to Peace, A Conversation With Burl Cain
- Stein, Joel. "The Lessons of Cain." TIMETime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
.