School Address: 18544 Tunica Trace Angola LA 70712
School District: Special School District
County: West Feliciana Parish
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Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola, is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the United States. Located at 18544 Tunica Trace, Angola, LA 70712, it spans approximately 18,000 acres in West Feliciana Parish. The prison is named after the former plantation that occupied the site, and it is surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River, adding to its isolation and security. Angola has a complex history and has been operational since the early 1900s. It houses both male and female inmates, with a capacity to detain several thousand individuals, most of whom are serving long sentences, including life without parole. The facility is known for its agricultural operations, as it maintains a farm that provides food for the inmates and generates some income for the prison system. Over the years, Angola has been the subject of numerous reform efforts and criticisms, particularly concerning inmate conditions, labor practices, and racial issues. One of the notable events hosted by Angola is the annual Angola Prison Rodeo, which typically attracts thousands of visitors. The rodeo showcases inmate participation in various events and sells artwork crafted by inmates, providing some rehabilitation opportunities and a connection to the outside community. Efforts have been made to improve living conditions and reform the prison system at Angola, but challenges remain. The penitentiary continues to be a significant and sometimes controversial symbol of the American criminal justice system, reflecting broader issues in incarceration practices and prison reform.