Angola, Louisiana

In the early 1800s, following Louisiana's admission as a state in 1812, Edward Livingston, a lawyer and politician hailing from New York, was appointed to systematize Louisiana's intricate legal regulations. Due to Louisiana's historical background as a former French colony, then Spanish territory, and eventually a U.S. territory, the legal system became a complex amalgamation. In 1824, Livingston established various sets of regulations encompassing guidelines for everyday conduct, protocols for proper procedures, and, notably, rules for punishing individuals who violated the law. His primary accomplishment was the development of the System of Penal Law, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the punishment system. Livingston advocated for the education and training of prisoners as a means to prevent recidivism. Additionally, he believed that individuals who frequently violated the law should be segregated from society in correctional facilities, while young individuals should have dedicated living spaces. Nevertheless, the leaders in Louisiana exhibited dissent towards Livingston's ideas, selectively implementing his rules for everyday affairs while disregarding those about prison reform.

From 1830 to 1844, the state-funded prison in Louisiana experienced financial difficulties. They initiated leasing prisoners to private enterprises such as McHatton, Pratt, and Company to address this issue. This continued until 1901, with intermittent pauses. The objective was to economize while maximizing the labor output of prisoners. Major Samuel James was a renowned individual who rented prisoners, employing them for various tasks such as working on levees and his Angola plantation. This arrangement, resembling legal enslavement, persisted until individuals voiced their concerns. In 1901, the state regained authority, terminating the contentious practice of leasing prisoners.

In 1901, the Louisiana government assumed jurisdiction over the Angola State Prison in response to numerous reports of inmate abuse stemming from the practice of leasing convicts to enhance their living conditions. The prisoners continued laboring on the plantation that encircled the correctional facility, engaging in activities such as cultivating crops and tending to livestock. Until 1914, a panel appointed by the governor was responsible for overseeing the prison and plantation work. At that time, Henry L. Fuqua was appointed the first General Manager of Angola State Farms. During the flood of 1922, he successfully persuaded nearby plantation owners to sell their remaining former plantations to the State, thereby expanding the prison to 18,000 acres.

During the 1880s, Angola Prison, also known as the Louisiana State Prison, had a well-documented past that included a heritage rooted in slavery and racial segregation. During that period, the prison housed approximately 6300 male inmates, with black men comprising approximately 80% of the total population. At the Angola prison, individuals were subject to differential treatment based on their behavior. The conditions in the prison were highly unjust. The 13th Amendment effectively eliminated slavery, except its use as a form of punishment for committing a crime. Until the early 20th century, inmates in this correctional facility were confined to a privately owned plantation and subjected to labor managed by a company.

During that period, Angola began its development as a plantation. Male prisoners were engaged in agricultural labor, while female prisoners were responsible for domestic maintenance. The working conditions were extremely severe and verging on being inhumane. This system depicted the racially segregated and harsh reality of the era, wherein numerous prisoners were subjected to violence, exploitation, and overcrowding.

By 1903, Huddie had already established himself as a skilled musician who was proficient in singing and playing the guitar. He entertained the Shreveport crowd in St. Paul's Bottoms, an area well-known for its illicit activities. After being exposed to the diverse musical influences on Shrevoport's Fannin Street, a stretch of establishments including saloons, brothels, and dance halls in the Bottoms, he started cultivating his unique musical style. The current designation for this region is Ledbetter Heights.

The Angola Prison Rodeo was established in 1965 to provide recreational activities for incarcerated individuals. 1967, the facility's expansion allowed a restricted public audience to attend. As the rodeo gained popularity, a 4,500-seat arena was built by 1969. The rodeo has experienced continuous growth and remains in operation to this day. It functions as a profitable event for the Inmate Welfare Fund.