The Louisiana State Penitentiary
At this time Barry participated in clergy meetings with Governor John McKeithen who was interested in the social issues of Louisiana. Governor McKeithen asked Barry through the director of the prison system if he would meet with the prisoners of the Angola State Penitentiary to prevent a riot, and aid with reform within the institution. Barry pinpointed needed changes for the prisoners and advocated for better conditions within the prison.
Because of the acuity of tensions it was a dangerous situation. Fights broke out regularly within the prison. Barry met the inmates without a prison guard, outside in an open yard. To first appeal to the prisoners to not have a fight, Barry opened:
“I am asking you to protect me, I am trusting you to take care of me while I am here. I understand once in a while you have a fight, if you fight I’ll get killed, so wait awhile and hear my purpose…my goal is not to make a little talk. I’ve come down here as a friend to work for you, to make changes.”
Barry had worked out the proposed conditions prior to visiting with the prisoners, to ensure change would be made within the system. He offered:
“Your menu will change daily and your food will be prepared in the same way as in the governor's mansion. We will be getting rid of the uniforms that say Angola, and have instead a nice pair of pants and a shirt that match without a logo, and we will arrange for one hour each month where each of you can meet with a spouse or a sweetheart alone. We will improve your living conditions, plant grass and restore the places where you sleep, and it will be cleaner. Some of you are not guilty, and we have a group of lawyers designated who will work with you, to help you to be released. There are lawyers who have been lined up to assist those of you who were not properly represented and need a reduced sentence for lesser crimes such as possession of marijuana.”
Barry promised that they would work together, and that he had the ear of the governor. The prisoners wanted to hear him…and at the end of the talk, they cheered.