Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and Angola Prison lies at the heart of this crisis. Once a slave plantation, Angola now holds more than 5,000 inmates, over 80% of whom are Black, under harsh and often unconstitutional conditions. Despite Louisiana spending more than $734 million annually on its prison system, recidivism rates remain high, revealing the failure of a punishment-based approach. This policy brief argues for the expansion of rehabilitation programs at Angola, including education, vocational training, and mental health services. By prioritizing rehabilitation, Louisiana can reduce recidivism by up to 40%, cut long-term correctional costs, and restore opportunities for those reentering society. This proposal offers a bipartisan, cost-effective strategy to promote public safety, racial justice, and human dignity.

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January 9, 2026