As I sit here, contemplating my trip on December 4th, my mind wanders back to a time in my life that seems to have been intense, but idyllic in the sense that I was enjoying the challenges of beginning my career in Corrections. It was truly what is being hailed as the start of "New Corrections" in the state of Louisiana, brought on by the Hayes vs MeKeithen lawsuit, in the middle district of the Federal Court system (Louisiana). Judge E. Gordon West had determined that Louisiana was operating a backward, cruel penal system. Nothing more than immediate and sweeping changes must be made. The New Corrections, as I deem it began with Hayes vs McKiethen.
Then in 1975 Hayes vs McKeithen was transferred to the Court due to the of Judge West due to him taking Senior Status. It should be noted that Judge West was appointed to the bench by JFK. The transfer of the case, which landed in Judge Frank Polozola's Court of the middle district of Louisiana. Both Judge West and Judge Polozola held the same thoughts of the Louisiana Dept of Corrections. It should be noted that Judge Polozola was at one time the budding law clerk of Judge West.
For Me.. the Beginning, started in the year 1978,
I began my steps into Corrections at Dixon Correctional Institute, which was named for Margret Dixon, the Managing Editor of the Morning Advocate Newspaper. It seems looking back that the Progressives of the 70's changed or had a hand in changing most of the social institutions for the betterment of the "Great Society".
It was such a time when clashing with the established hierarchy of the Old Style Corrections was a badge of honor and it was Expected of you, if you were to gain any upward movement of your career. I just didn't know that the Old Corrections were truly on the banana peel and slipping away fast. By the Mid 80's the system was in total modification and I along with others, who were hired between 1976-1978; would become to be known a .... . Those College Educated Liberals, (it should be noted that most employees of the Department prior to 1978 didn't even have a high school diploma). Our quest for fairness, openness, total regard for both offender and employee, came speedily by 1985. We as the Group, became dear friends, colleagues, and we all were promoted successfully into the upper management of the Department.
It seems butting heads with the Old Style Corrections served us young whipper snappers well... by my count there was about 20 of us... all now either retired, passed on the the greater reward, or still hanging on as I am working a lil' bit.