FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2008
Contact Person: Cathy Fontenot, CCE
Contact Number: 225.655.2897
LA JUSTICE HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2008 HONOREES
ANGOLA, LA. Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James M. LeBlanc, Louisiana State Penitentiary Warden Burl Cain and The Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation are proud to announce the following highly distinguished individuals as 2008 inductees to the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.
Brigadier General Sherian G. Cadoria, ret. (Mansura)
Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell (Tallulah/Baton Rouge)
The Late Honorable Adrian G. Duplantier (New Orleans)
Honorable Melvin “Kip” Holden (Baton Rouge)
The Late Director Elayn Eicher Hunt (Lake Charles/Baton Rouge)
Federal Judge Frank J. Polozola (Baton Rouge)
Sheriff Jack A. Stephens (St. Bernard)
Chief of Police Henry L. Whitehorn (Shreveport)
U.S. Marshal William Rutledge “Rut” Whittington (Lafayette/Shreveport)
In addition to these awards, two other prestigious awards will be bestowed on the following non-inductee members. The Honorable Judge Harmon Drew, Jr and Mrs. Jean Talley Drew, Atty (Minden) will receive “The Chief Justice Edward Douglas White Judicial Excellence Award.” LA DPS&C Probation and Parole Director Genie Powers (Baton Rouge) will receive the first ever “Sheriff Harry Lee Memorial Law Enforcement Administrator Award of Excellence.” The Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum (est. 1998) is proud home to the LA Justice Hall of Fame (est. 2005) and encourages all interested to attend the tribute and appreciation events honoring the above heroes in justice on Friday, August 1, 2008.
1:30 p.m. A free, open to the public reception at the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum, located just outside the gates of the historic prison at the end of Highway 66 in West Feliciana Parish.
2:00 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Museum to reveal exhibit cases on the lives and accomplishments of the inductees.
5:00 p.m. Pre-purchased $40.00 ticket required to attend the banquet and formal ceremonies at Baton Rouge’s Boudreaux’s Restaurant at 2647 Government Street (ticket price includes catered meal with entertainment by the award-winning Governor Jimmie Davis Band).
Tickets and information can be obtained by calling the Louisiana State Penitentiary
Museum staff at 225.655.2592. All media can contact Cathy Fontenot or Gary Young
225.655.2083 for more information. The museum’s website is www.angolamuseum.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cathy Fontenot
May 12, 2008 (225) 655-2897
Angola Art
Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Board hosts Art Symposium at maximum-security prison
ANGOLA, LA.
Since its establishment in April 1997, the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum has proven to be a great resource for all interested in learning more about crime, criminal justice and corrections in Louisiana as well as the infamous history of the state's largest and oldest penitentiary. An estimated 1,000 visitors each month from across the state, nation and also foreign countries have toured the storied prison and have begun their tour at the Museum. Every year the Museum hosts an open event, free to the public to bring more awareness about Angola's unique museum, the first of its kind in the nation.
Warden Burl Cain often states that allowing inmates to be creative in safe and secure ways allows them to release frustrations and expressions that help to keep the massive prison community non-violent and productive. Inmates have often discovered untapped artistic talents within themselves while incarcerated. Twice a year, thousands of people come to purchase inmate art and hobbycraft during the Angola Prison Rodeos held on the third weekend of April and every Sunday in October. People are amazed at the creativity they discover when attending these sold out events.
This year's symposium will feature inmate art as well as a collection of artwork collected from the people most affected by crime, criminals and corrections. Attendees to this symposium will also see selected paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs donated for display from crime victims and survivors, family members of inmates and prison employees and their families. The artwork will be showcased at various historic locations on the prison including the Red Hat Cellblock, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gates open to the public at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2008. Registration is free however lunch can be purchased for $5.00 a head. Inmate bands will perform at lunch time. Artists including professionals Debra Luster and CD Wright of One Big Self - Inmates of Louisiana, inmates, and employees will be on hand to discuss the inspiration behind their artwork.
All media is welcome to attend. For media credentials to attend the Angola Art Symposium, contact: Cathy Fontenot at 225.665.2897/
cathyfontenot@corrections.state.la.us
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