Wilbert Rideau

About the Author

Wilbert Rideau is a renowned author, journalist, and civil rights advocate whose life story embodies resilience and redemption. Incarcerated for over four decades following a youthful crime in Louisiana, Rideau transformed his time behind bars into a profound exploration of the American justice system. As a pioneering prison journalist, he co-founded The Angolite, the award-winning inmate publication at Angola State Penitentiary, earning acclaim for his unflinching reporting on life inside one of the nation's most notorious prisons. Released in 2011 after his murder conviction was overturned, Rideau has since become a sought-after speaker on criminal justice reform. His memoir, In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Redemption, chronicles his journey from offender to educator, offering poignant insights into punishment, forgiveness, and the human capacity for change.