Tarra Simmons, the first formerly incarcerated person elected to Washington State’s House of Representatives, brought more than policy insight to Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on Thursday, Sept. 11 – she brought Hope to Death Row.
Hope, Simmons’ emotional support dog, is a small white Maltipoo with soulful brown eyes and a knack for curling up without complaint inside a pink backpack. She accompanied Simmons and three fellow legislators on a nearly six-hour tour of Angola, including a visit to a Death Row tier.
Joining Simmons were Washington State Rep. Joshua Penner (R), Washington State Rep. Roger Goodman (D) and Rhode Island State Rep. Cherie Cruz (D), who, like Simmons, is formerly incarcerated.
Assistant Warden Anne-Marie Easley led the tour, guiding the group through several programs and spaces: the Corrections Court Re-Entry Program, the New Men dormitory, a recovery-centered, faith-based, substance abuse program facilitated by prison residents, the Teddy Bear Workshop, Death Row, and the PAWS (Prisoners Assisting Warrior Services) initiative.
For all four legislators, it was their first time at Angola, and they were struck by the facility’s cleanliness, organization, and sense of calm.
“I see community,” said Cruz. “Everywhere we go, I see community, and it makes me believe that there is hope and transformation happening behind these walls.”
Hope was a gentle presence throughout the visit, sometimes riding in Simmons’ backpack, other times walking on a leash, greeting incarcerated men and exploring alongside the group.
Outside the Teddy Bear Workshop, which makes stuffed bears of all sizes for sick children and operates the Parole-A-Bear concession at Angola’s annual rodeo, Mark, a member of New Men, leaned down to pet Hope. His eyes lit up as he shared his story, a life of incarceration and drug use. Now five years sober, Mark is a sobriety mentor in the New Men program. Simmons said she was impressed by New Men and its impact on the prison.
“I’m really happily surprised by how much trust they’ve been given,” Simmons said. “And self-accountability. There’s a lot of that here with very little supervision and it’s working. They’re building community with each other. It’s so much more progressive here than in Washington State.”
Penner, a veteran and father to a son with autism, was especially moved by the Re-Entry Court Program. The program offers eligible persons a reduced sentence – a minimum of two years – along with vocational and life skills training before release. At the prison’s automotive shop, Penner and the other legislators listened to a group of six mentors and one mentee speak about their experiences.
“I was most surprised by the self-realization of the Re-Entry guys,” Penner said. “In addition to learning vocational skills, they are learning about themselves.”
Goodman, chair of Washington’s Community Safety Committee, has toured several prisons across Louisiana. His visit to Angola was driven by a desire to understand its approach to incarceration.
“I don’t want a system rooted in punishment and revenge,” he said. “I’d much rather see one guided by evidence and focused on rehabilitation.”
The final stop was Death Row – referred to by staff and residents as “Life Row.” The tier lacks air conditioning and large fans roared overhead making conversation difficult. But the men who live there, stood outside their cells and engaged with the visitors.
As the group prepared to leave, Simmons turned back to thank the men for their time and conversation. With a warm smile, she offered parting words that carried both literal and symbolic weight: “I brought you Hope today.”
