Why Are Prison Rodeos A Thing?

Nowhere else in the United States do prison rodeos exist except in Louisiana. Every April and October, the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola Prison) transforms into a full-scale rodeo arena. Read more about the astounding prison rodeo experience below.

The event dates back to 1965 and draws in thousands of spectators. It generates nearly half a million dollars per weekend. But behind the entertainment lies a harsh reality – one built on labor exploitation, racial injustice, and the dehumanization of incarcerated individuals.

A Tradition Rooted in Oppression

Angola Prison itself sits on the land of a former slave plantation, a dark history that lingers in its modern-day operations. According to Capital B News, the prison has an overwhelmingly Black inmate population. Many of the inmates are serving lengthy sentences under Louisiana’s harsh penal system, and it’s at the center of this controversial rodeo.

Participants, who have little to no rodeo experience, are thrown into dangerous, high-risk events. From riding bulls, wrestling livestock, and dodging stampeding horses, they have suffered from broken bones, concussions, and even spinal injuries. Yet, their pain is met with cheers from the crowd. Unlike professional rodeo riders, these men don’t receive proper training, medical coverage, or the freedom to walk away.

Despite these risks, inmates participate voluntarily. For many, it’s one of the only ways they can feel a sense of freedom, if only for a moment. It’s also something that provides them with some money on their books and a sense of pride to entertain their loved ones and community.

Prison Labor and the Economics of the Rodeo

Beyond the arena, dozens of incarcerated individuals set up booths to sell handcrafted goods like leatherwork, paintings, wood sculptures. Some sellers are stationed behind fences. While others interact openly with the public. This marketplace is one of the few times they can see, touch, and speak to their loved ones.

Yet, the financial gains from these efforts largely benefit the prison system, not the prisoners themselves. When not performing, these men earn as little as two cents per hour for their labor, highlighting the stark reality of modern prison economics.

Calls for Change

The Angola Prison Rodeo has faced growing criticism in recent years. Online petitions call for its abolition, citing ethical concerns and the inhumane treatment of incarcerated individuals. One former inmate attended the rodeo this year to bring more awareness to this growing issue. However, none of these efforts have successfully reached state lawmakers or the prison’s administration.

For many, the event serves as a jarring example of America’s deep-rooted issues with race, incarceration, and labor exploitation. It may be a spectacle for visitors, but for the men inside Angola, the rodeo is both an opportunity for fleeting joy and a painful reminder of their reality.

Check out a viral video from Capital B News that shares more about the prison rodeo below:

SEE ALSO:

The History Of Black Cowboys: America’s 1st Heroes Of The Western Frontier

The History Of Black Cowboy Fashion

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