Cain's Redemption: A Story of Hope and Transformation in America's Bloodiest Prison [Paperback]

Dennis Shere (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

Formerly known as America's bloodiest prison, the 18,000 acres that comprise Louisiana's Angola State Penitentiary are now home to 5,000 inmates, a full range of seasonal crops, a 9-hole golf course, yearly rodeos, a Bible seminary, a museum, and much more. All of this came into being at the behest of Warden Burl Cain, who is now the longest-standing warden in the history of Angola prison. Under his leadership, the inmate population of 5,000 has gone from regular knife fights to Bible studies. Cain is a strong believer in the ability of the gospel to turn the most incorrigible of sinners into productive, moral citizens. Because eight out of ten prisoners are serving life sentences without parole at Angola, Cain has taken upon himself the task of making the lives of these prisoners productive and educational. Through a partnership with New Orleans Baptist Seminary, prisoners have the opportunity to get a bible degree and even be transferred to other prisons as a missionary. The Angola phenomenon has been covered by such media outlets as Time Magazine, Christianity Today, and in the award-winning film documentary, The Farm: Angola, USA. Author Dennis Shere combines his background in journalism and law to bring readers this account of redemption and life change in the most unlikely of places: a maximum security prison.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Northfield Publishing; New Edition edition (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881273245
• ISBN-13: 978-1881273240
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on prison reform ever., August 10, 2005

By 

Robert D. Downing "The Judge Dude" (Baton Rouge, La) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cain's Redemption: A Story of Hope and Transformation in America's Bloodiest Prison (Paperback)

I have been a judge for 20 years. The previous best book on corrections was 20,000 Years in Sing Sing, by Warden Lewis Lawes. This book about Angola and Warden Cain is the only book you need to read about how to reform prisoners. It needs to be the Criminal Justice textbook because few of the people teaching criminal justice have a clue about how to change criminals. Warden Cain has the answer. Very readable. Great stories.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every person is precious to the Lord, January 13, 2006

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Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cain's Redemption: A Story of Hope and Transformation in America's Bloodiest Prison (Paperback)

The transforming power of the gospel message electrifies the pages in this remarkable book! Readers will have a unique opportunity to visit Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana, a place that was once known as America's bloodiest prison. When Burl Cain accepted the position of warden, he brought along his vibrant faith in Christ. The combination of his leadership skills and his commitment to the Lord effected changes in this prison that are nothing short of miraculous!

These pages lead readers behind the bars and into the hearts and minds of those who live there. Since most of the prisoners are serving life sentences with no chance of parole, the atmosphere was a breeding ground for despair. When Warden Cain realized that despondency often leads to violent behavior, he decided to give these men hope in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Cain's philosophy is simple: prisoners are human beings and they deserve an opportunity to know Jesus as Savior. This book bears witness of the power of God to touch hardened hearts and change lives. The documentary style of writing makes these men real to readers and will highlight the command of Jesus to visit those in prison.

Although this facility has undergone a transformation, readers will understand that it is still a prison. Cain must be ready to deal with issues like riots and hostage situations. Not every prisoner has accepted the call of Christ and therefore unrest travels throughout these halls looking for opportunity. The author has included accounts of real-life problems that needed a firm but fair handling. The warden has proven himself capable of dealing with the worst that this prison can give him, yet he never loses sight of the best that he can give these men.

Cain's Redemption will powerfully remind readers that every person is precious to the Lord! -- Joyce Handzo, Christian Book Previews.com

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Story and An Amazing Place., September 23, 2008

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Kym McNabney "Writing From The Soul" (Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cain's Redemption: A Story of Hope and Transformation in America's Bloodiest Prison (Paperback)

This was a very inspiring story. A well written book that will send you on an emotional rollercoaster. This book IS NOT filled with a pack of lies, as one review seems to think. I met Dennis Shere, and Warden Cain, along with many of the inmates and those that work at Angola. Of course Angola is not a perfect place, run by perfect people, or has only perfect inmates. I don't believe that anyone ever made that claim. But what it is, is an amazing place with amazing things happening. Anyone who doubts this, start visiting different jails and prisons in your area, then go to Angola for several days, and tell me God isn't at work there.
The system is screwed up. The government is screwed up. People screw up. But God is good. With Him, all things are possible. I stayed at Angola for eight days. I ate there, slept there, worshiped with those that worked there, and those that were doing time there. I was so moved with what was going on there, I didn't want to leave.
I'm involved in the prison ministry and write to several inmates, including a handful from Angola. Great men with big hearts and a genuine devoted love for God. Look at how crowed our prison systems are! What the statistics show the reentry rate is. Isn't it obvious we're doing something wrong! I truly believe in my heart, that if all prison systems would adopt what Burl Cain is doing, along with places like, Koinonia House, in Illinois, and other great ministries, we would find a big dent in the cost of our prison system, for we would be truly reforming criminals, instead of slapping a number on them and writing them off. That's just not working...hello.
Hebrew 13:3 "Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies."