Angola Prison: Rodeo Tradition Still Alive?

The Angola Prison Rodeo, held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. Beginning in 1965 as a joint effort between inmates, prison staff, and civilians, the rodeo has become a popular event attracting thousands of visitors. The rodeo features traditional and unique events, including bull riding, bronco busting, steer wrestling, and the infamous Guts and Glory run. While the rodeo is a source of entertainment and a chance for inmates to showcase their talents, it has also faced criticism for being inhumane and exploitative, with inmates participating in dangerous events with limited safety measures. Despite the concerns, the Angola Prison Rodeo continues to operate, with proceeds supporting the Inmate Welfare Fund for educational and recreational programs.

The Angola Prison Rodeo is held annually in April and October

The Angola Prison Rodeo is not your typical rodeo. It was first staged as a joint effort between offenders, prison employees, and civilians living in Angola's residential area. The rodeo includes traditional events such as bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling, but also features unique events like Convict Poker and Prisoner Pinball. In Convict Poker, four inmates play a game of poker while a bull is released into the arena, with the goal of unseating the players. The last player remaining seated at the table wins the game. Prisoner Pinball is another exciting event where inmates stand in randomly placed hula hoops, and the last inmate still standing in their hoop wins.

The rodeo is held over one weekend in April and on every Sunday in October, attracting thousands of visitors to the prison complex. Various prisoner organizations sell food at concession stands, often using family recipes to craft their menus. Prison guards handle the financial transactions. The rodeo also includes a biannual Arts and Crafts Festival, where prisoners display their handmade artwork and crafts.

The Angola Prison Rodeo serves as a behavioural incentive for offenders, encouraging good behaviour and providing an opportunity for inmates to compete in various events, earn money, and sell their hobbycraft, furniture, art, and jewellery. Inmate participation is entirely voluntary, and many offenders view the rodeo as a chance to feel connected to society outside the prison gates and take pride in showcasing their talents.

The rodeo includes events like bull riding, bronco busting, and steer wrestling

The Angola Prison Rodeo, held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. It began in 1965, born out of an idea from the previous year. The rodeo is held on one weekend in April and every Sunday in October, attracting thousands of visitors. The rodeo includes traditional events like bull riding, bronco busting, and steer wrestling, as well as unique events such as Convict Poker and Guts and Glory.

Bronco busting, also known as bronco riding or bronc riding, is a classic rodeo event where participants ride on bucking horses or broncos. This event tests the rider's skill and courage in staying atop an untamed horse. In the Angola Prison Rodeo, bronco busting is a thrilling display of courage and skill, where inmates challenge themselves to stay mounted on the bucking broncos.

Bull riding is another classic rodeo event, and it is a staple of the Angola Prison Rodeo. Bull riding involves participants mounting and attempting to stay atop a bucking bull for as long as possible. It is a dangerous and exhilarating event that requires immense courage and skill. In the Angola Prison Rodeo, inmates volunteer to participate in bull riding, testing their bravery and riding prowess.

Steer wrestling, also known as bull dogging, is a fast-paced and physically demanding rodeo event. In this event, participants compete in pairs, with one person acting as the "steer wrestler" and the other as the "hazer." The steer wrestler's goal is to grab the steer by the horns and wrestle it to the ground, while the hazer assists by guiding and directing the steer. This event showcases the participants' strength, agility, and teamwork. In the Angola Prison Rodeo, steer wrestling allows inmates to demonstrate their physical prowess and strategic thinking in a competitive and engaging way.

These traditional rodeo events are a significant part of the Angola Prison Rodeo, showcasing the inmates' skills, courage, and athleticism. The rodeo provides a unique opportunity for the inmates to challenge themselves, gain a sense of achievement, and feel a connection to the wider community beyond the prison gates. While these events can be dangerous, the rodeo prioritizes the safety of the participants, with professional rodeo clowns, protective gear, and emergency services on standby.

The rodeo is a collaboration between prisoners and prison employees

The Angola Prison Rodeo is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. It was first held in 1965 as a joint effort between prisoners, prison employees, and civilians living in Angola's residential area. The rodeo was initially created for the entertainment of prisoners and employees, but it soon attracted outside spectators.

The rodeo is a collaboration between inmates and prison staff, with both groups working together to organise and run the event. Inmates who participate in the rodeo do so voluntarily and see it as an opportunity to feel a part of society outside the prison gates and to showcase their talents. The rodeo also provides an economic incentive for inmates, who can earn money through competing in various events, selling inmate-made furniture, art, jewellery, and food, and receiving a portion of the rodeo's proceeds.

Prison employees play a crucial role in the rodeo's organisation and execution. They handle financial transactions, ensure the safety of participants and spectators, and facilitate the various events. The rodeo has grown significantly since its inception, with the construction of larger stadiums and the adoption of rules from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The current stadium can accommodate over 10,000 attendees.

The rodeo features traditional rodeo events such as bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. However, it also includes unique events such as Convict Poker, where inmates play poker while trying to avoid being unseated by a bull, and Prisoner Pinball, where inmates stand in hula hoops and attempt to avoid being knocked over by a loose bull. The grand finale is the Guts and Glory event, where inmates attempt to snatch a poker chip tied to the head of a longhorn bull to win a monetary prize.

The Angola Prison Rodeo is a highly anticipated event that draws thousands of visitors to the prison complex. It has become a significant business venture, with proceeds going towards covering expenses and supporting the Inmate Welfare Fund, which provides educational and recreational resources for inmates. The rodeo showcases the collaboration between prisoners and prison employees, offering a unique opportunity for inmates to engage with the outside world and utilise their skills and talents.

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Inmate Welfare Fund

The Angola Prison Rodeo, held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, is the longest-running prison rodeo in the United States. The rodeo was first staged in 1965 as a joint effort between offenders, prison staff, and civilians living in Angola's residential area.

The rodeo has grown significantly since its inception, with the current stadium accommodating over 10,000 attendees. The event has become so popular that it is often referred to as "the wildest show in the South." Each spring rodeo raises approximately $450,000, which goes towards religious and educational programs, as well as the maintenance of the prison's chapels.

The Angola Prison Rodeo is more than just an event; it provides inmates with a sense of connection to society and a platform to showcase their talents. It has become an integral part of the prison's culture and history, with inmates, staff, and the community working together to make it a success.

The rodeo has been criticised for being inhumane and exploitative

The Angola Prison Rodeo has faced criticism for its alleged inhumane and exploitative nature. The event has been labelled as "reminiscent of the Roman gladiators (read: glorified slaves)" and "barbaric at best" by the LSU Reveille in 2013.

One of the main points of contention is the inclusion of events that are specifically designed to endanger the lives of participating inmates, such as Convict Poker, where a bull is released with the sole purpose of unseating poker players. Players must resist the urge to run away to win, and their lives are put at risk. While some measures, like helmets, mouth guards, and vests, have been implemented to prevent serious injuries, the fact that inmates receive no training before participating contributes to the high rate of injuries.

The economic incentive of winning cash prizes, which can be up to $500 in the Guts & Glory event, is also a cause for concern. Critics argue that the prize money compromises the voluntary nature of the event, especially considering that inmates' wages typically range from $0.02 to $0.75 per hour. This significant financial incentive may pressure inmates to put themselves in harm's way, potentially compromising their well-being.

In addition to the concerns about the treatment of inmates, there have also been financial irregularities surrounding the rodeo. An audit in 2017 revealed that $6.2 million in revenue from the rodeo in 2014 and 2015 was kept in a private checking account instead of the Louisiana Department of Treasury. The audit also uncovered improper usage of funds, including the ordering of a prison bus and the disappearance of $28,000 in concession sales between 2010 and 2015. These findings highlight a lack of transparency and accountability in the management of the rodeo's finances.

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