Gone South - Season 4, Episode 1: "Escape From Angola"

Host: Jed Lipinski
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Podcast Series: Gone South
Producer: Audacy Podcasts

Introduction

In the premiere episode of Season 4, Gone South, host Jed Lipinski delves into the riveting true story of Jimmy Cox, a man whose life is a testament to resilience and transformation. Unlike previous seasons that focused on limited series within Southern crime narratives, Season 4 adopts an anthology format, presenting standalone stories each week. This episode, titled "Escape From Angola," chronicles Jimmy Cox's harrowing escapes from the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola, and his remarkable journey towards redemption.

Background: Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola)

Jed Lipinski sets the stage by providing a vivid description of Angola Prison, emphasizing its grim history and formidable reputation:

"Louisiana State Penitentiary sits on 18,000 acres just south of the Mississippi border. The prison is better known as Angola because the land it occupies used to be a slave plantation, and a majority of the people enslaved there were taken from the West African country of Angola." (04:24)

Angola has long been labeled the bloodiest prison in America, notorious for its violent conditions and impregnable security measures. Surrounded by the Mississippi River and dense swampland, escape attempts are rare and often fatal, with harsh punishments for those who dare to flee.

Jimmy Cox's Early Life and Descent into Crime

Jimmy Cox’s tumultuous background laid the groundwork for his life of crime. Growing up on Chicago's north side in the 1950s and 60s as the second youngest of twelve children, Jimmy was exposed early to criminal activities:

"When we were little kids, we used to break into the freight trains... stealing a half a train car full of beer. And you gotta figure I come from the area where you see gangsters walking around, nice clothes, diamond rings, driving nice cars, having nice women." (06:24)

His father's ties to the Chicago mafia and his early involvement in hustling and criminal enterprises shaped Jimmy into a skilled getaway driver by his early teens, earning him significant sums of money even as a juvenile.

Life at Angola and First Escape Attempt

In 1976, Jimmy was sentenced to Angola, arriving during a period when the prison had recently earned its notorious reputation. His first impression of Angola was one of utter despair:

"When I got there... I noticed a dude was laying on the walk, all stabbed up and people were just stepping over him. What I thought I'm in the jungle." (14:35)

Determined to escape, Jimmy spent four years meticulously planning his breakout. His initial strategy involved faking an injury to gain access to Charity Hospital within the prison. Utilizing numbing drops and a makeshift knife, he managed to free himself from handcuffs by convincing a guard to loosen them. After donning a fellow inmate’s clothes, Jimmy fled Angola but was eventually captured in Kentucky, earning him an additional seven-year sentence for the escape attempt.

Second Escape and Return to Angola

Undeterred, Jimmy spent another year and a half on the run before making a second attempt to escape Angola in 1982. This time, his plan was more calculated:

"Once again, I had smuggled a knife into the hospital... I took the knife to his throat and told him, I don't want to hurt you. I just want to go home." (20:14)

Despite a violent confrontation that resulted in the guard being stabbed, Jimmy successfully escaped by leaping from a window onto the fire escape and exiting through a side entrance. However, his freedom was short-lived as he was swiftly apprehended in New York after an escape attempt there led to his identification and capture.

Transformation and Rehabilitation

While serving his extended sentence, Jimmy underwent a profound personal transformation. Attending educational programs in Kentucky, he earned a paralegal degree and pursued studies in addiction counseling. A pivotal moment in his rehabilitation was his relationship with a prison psychologist, who helped him process childhood trauma:

"She was the very first person since I was 11 years old that I told that story to... It was a major breakthrough for me." (23:29)

Jimmy also overcame a long-standing addiction to heroin and PCP, finding solace and purpose in helping others through addiction counseling. His dedication earned him the status of a trustee, granting him special privileges within the prison system.

Impact of Hurricane Katrina and Public Recognition

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck, severely impacting the Washington Correctional Institute (WCI) where Jimmy was serving time. Despite the chaos, Jimmy and fellow trustees played a crucial role in disaster relief, assisting in repairing infrastructure and distributing supplies to affected communities:

"Every day I would go out to the FEMA area... It brought joy to my old heart to see the happiness and thankfulness of people." (30:37)

Their efforts garnered national attention, with the Wall Street Journal featuring Jimmy on the front page under the headline "Warden's Chainsaw Gang." This recognition highlighted the positive changes within the inmate community and Jimmy’s role in fostering rehabilitation.

Post-Release Life and Legacy

Released in 2006, Jimmy embarked on a new life, securing employment in offshore construction and eventually founding Phoenix Ministries, a prison reentry program aiding former inmates in transitioning back to society. His story of redemption not only inspired those around him but also bridged gaps between former adversaries, as evidenced by his friendship with Darryl Van Oyt, the former warden of Angola.

Jimmy’s journey from a violent escapee to a community helper underscores the potential for personal change and the importance of supportive rehabilitation programs. His legacy is one of hope, demonstrating that even those with tumultuous pasts can find their path to redemption.

Notable Quotes

• Jimmy Cox on the thrill of escaping:

  "I don't know if you can even fathom it, but it's a big thrill when you successfully escape incarceration. It's indescribable, man. Better feeling than any narcotic I ever had." (04:29)

• Jimmy reflecting on trauma and trust:

  "So therefore, I felt that I should never trust a soul. And it was the catalyst to put me on. If I felt that you were a threat, I was gonna eliminate you first. Because I wasn't gonna let you eliminate me." (08:29)

• Jimmy on transformation and helping others:

  "You hurt people all your life, and then all of a sudden, you get an opportunity to help. I feel like I'm on a mission in a sense, you know, man, to show people that, hey, you know, no matter how screwed up you were, you can be better." (32:52)

• Jimmy on his life coming full circle:

  "I was telling someone the other day that I've come full circle. I got out of prison right there, and Now I'm within 20 miles of the prison and I'm enjoying life laying up in the state park in a $40,000 camper. Got a beautiful lady. I mean, it's full circle, you know?" (34:48)

Conclusion

"Escape From Angola" is a compelling narrative that not only recounts the dramatic escape attempts of Jimmy Cox but also illustrates the profound personal transformation possible within the prison system. Jimmy's story serves as a powerful reminder of the capacity for change and the significance of second chances, embodying the humanistic insights that Gone South seeks to uncover in its exploration of Southern-themed crimes.

Contact and Feedback

For information, story tips, or feedback, listeners are encouraged to contact the Gone South team at gonesouthpodcastmail.com.

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