Burl Cain
Warden, the Louisiana State Penitentiary
"Moral Rehabilitation in an Immoral Environment"
Underwritten by Linda and Terry Van Der Aa
Download the recording [.mp3 12.6 MB]
Watch his interview on Calvin's Inner Compass program
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 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.
