Watching the Inauguration Behind Bars

What does Barack Obama’s message of hope mean to the 5,000 men behind bars at Louisiana’s Angola prison farm? Angola’s prisoners, nearly all of whom will die behind bars, were given the day off work yesterday to watch the celebrations in Washington, D.C., and their reactions ranged from cynicism to awe (at least according to one Wall St Journal reporter):

Ronnie Moran, 50, serving a life sentence for rape, says he appreciated being able to watch the inauguration, but doesn't believe Mr. Obama's election will change anything. "Until we decide to put down the guns and the drugs and stop the violence, it doesn't matter that we have an African-American president," he says. "You can have all the Barack Obamas in the world."

…(Douglas) Dennis has little hope Mr. Obama will tackle the problems of the criminal-justice system. "He's got his hands full: Two wars, the economy is going in the tank and the health-care costs are skyrocketing," says Mr. Dennis. "I'd be surprised if he has time to brush his teeth in the next four years."

…Imprisoned the past 26 years, Jeffrey Lewis, 48, was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and is serving a total of 80 years. He says Mr. Obama's election and swearing in let him think "anything is possible."

He says he will recommit to his work with the hospice where inmates who are terminally ill spend their last days. He also intends to get other inmates to reconnect with their families. "The key is to work and stay useful," says Mr. Lewis.

Warden Burl Cain said the rest of the country could learn something from the more optimistic prisoners, like Jeffrey Lewis:

"My daddy had a phrase: 'We've got to grab a root and growl,'" he says, meaning, it is time for work. He says Mr. Obama shows his inmates that the country is full of possibilities, even in a prison. "If the men here can have hope, then why can't the rest of the country?"