Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Oakdale, Allen Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1987-11-27

Duration: 00:10:00

Subjects: Immigration | Prisons | Prison riots | Cubans

Contributors:

• Hinton, Rob Host
• Johnson, J.R. Speaker
• Breaux, John Speaker
• Sandefur, Jim Interviewee
• Tilton, Edward Interviewee
• Mowad, George Interviewee
• Johnston, David Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Interviewee

This segment from the November 27, 1987, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Rob Hinton’s report on the prison riot at the Oakdale Detention Center in Allen Parish. Hinton reports that the Cuban detainees took 28 hostages and burned down several buildings at the prison following news that the United States and Cuban governments reached an agreement to send them back to Cuba. It includes highlights from the press conferences with Warden J.R. Johnson and United States Senator John Breaux. It also includes an interview with Governor Edwin Edwards, who discusses whether the prison should be rebuilt in Oakdale.