ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (WGNO) – The longest-serving prison warden in Louisiana history will step down. Louisiana State Penitentiary warden Burl Cain told WGNO News he will resign, effective January 1, but will stay on at Angola through the transition to ensure it goes smoothly.
Cain told our station nothing official has been announced, but the process is already underway for Darryl Vannoy to replace him. Vannoy is the acting warden at Dixon Correctional Center and was formerly a deputy warden at Angola.
Cain broke the news to inmates at the prison this morning. During the announcement, Cain says he and the inmates cried. Cain told WGNO, “My legacy is in their hearts.”
Cain’s retirement comes amid accusations of shady business dealings by The Advocate newspaper.
An investigative report alleged Cain violated prison policy by entering into real estate deals with men who had ties to inmates at Angola.
Cain helped a friend of developer William Ourso appeal his conviction. However, Cain told us that happened “a year or two” after Ourso purchased property from his corporation.
In another deal, Charles Chatelain, whose son was an inmate at Angola, also bought into Cain’s venture. In that case, Cain says the inmate had been transferred from Angola and was gone two years before the deal was made.
Cain told WGNO News, “When The Advocate questioned my faith was when I finally decided to step down.”
However, the Advocate has reported its articles did not raise questions about Cain’s faith.
Cain says he has always been transparent and will participate in any investigation regarding the accusations.