NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The longtime warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, the state's largest prison and keeper of death row, is resigning amid questions raised by a newspaper about his private real estate dealings.
On Wednesday, Warden Burl Cain told WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge he was stepping down on Jan. 1.
In the interview, he says the decision to step down is "devastating."
He also reportedly brushed off charges of possible wrongdoing in real estate dealings outlined against him by The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge in November.
Cain - a Republican and considered one of the state's most powerful figures - has run the prison, commonly known as Angola, since 1995.
During his tenure, he is credited with improving conditions and decreasing violence at the working prison farm.
Secretary of Corrections James LeBlanc issued the following statement:
"Warden Burl Cain informed me today that he intended to retire as Warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary. He will leave the Warden's position effective January 1, 2016.
"Over the course of his career in Corrections, Warden Cain has contributed significantly to public safety and offender rehabilitation, including the establishment of both the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at Angola and the Reentry Court program.
"Warden Cain has also been involved in the successful campaign of the Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation to build chapels at every state correctional facility in Louisiana.
"Since 1995, Warden Cain has been responsible for the operations of one of the largest maximum security prisons in the country. His leadership and experience have been tremendous assets to the Department. Other states have followed Warden Cain's lead and mimicked programs and policies he instituted over the years. The Department wishes him the best in his retirement."
