The Author, standing, and Friends at the Rodeo

I should also add that while I know and respect Burl Cain, I have also read some criticism of this event in the past in news reports. Since my retirement from the corrections profession three years ago, I have made it my mission to be a promoter of all that is 'good' about the people who work in our prison system. In my mind, these folks are the unsung heroes of the United States and Canada. In order to continue this mission- I had to see Angola for myself and make my own decision about the rodeo - rather than rely on news reports.

Those critical reports were wrong. I soon learned after my arrival at Angola that the praise and positive comments I had heard about the institution and the rodeo from Louisiana's Director of Public Safety and Corrections, Richard Stalder, American Correctional Association Executive Director Jim Gondles and Ohio Warden Mark Saunders were not exaggerated.

I have been around prisons all of my adult life and, like most other wardens, I can judge prison atmosphere in an extensive 'walk around'. We were able to visit normal housing units, work areas and restricted areas. And everywhere we went, we discovered busy inmates working to get ready for the Rodeo's Arts and Crafts Sale. 

Employees were alert, involved, sharply dressed and with incredibly positive attitudes. It was apparent that the Rodeo gave them a chance to show the community that their work is important. 

Setting the Scene

The four Sunday Open Houses serve to educate and inform people about the 'Correction World'. Our group spent 10 hours watching the facility get ready and prepare.

The 10,000 seat Rodeo Arena (built by inmates} is surrounded by a huge area where inmate art, crafts, and furniture is sold, along with the aforementioned, mind-boggling number of 'food concessions'.

All proceeds from the event go to the Inmate Welfare Fund, which pays for items not covered by the state budget. While many states have terminated inmate art shows in an effort to appear 'Hard on Crime', Louisiana has seen the wisdom of giving inmates a positive outlet that pays dividends to the prison budget, the personal accounts of the inmates and also makes a healthy donation to victim programs. 

Among the programs it supports are KLSP, the only inmate operated radio station in the nation, and the award-winning ANGOLITE magazine. It also pays for both the reading and law libraries, as well as TVs for every dormitory and cellblock in this 5,200-plus capacity prison.

The administration has also set up a secure system for managing those Rodeo proceeds. Volunteers and off duty employees operate the cash registers and make out vouchers, but inventive security arrangements give you a chance to 'bargain' with the artists who are behind fences in a huge yard enclosed by the concession area. The inmates do not handle money but instead hand out paper receipts with the final price, which the customer then takes to the register.

The day is a complete experience where early arrivals can sample local cuisine at the concession area - including all three meals. These meals are sold by a wide variety of inmate organizations - the fruit bowls were provided by Students of Islam, shrimp etoufee by the Gospel Fellowship and jambalaya by the Toastmasters. In all, 30 inmate groups support their existence by operating concessions at the Rodeo.

Burl Cain will tell you this is a great way to promote positive social relationships that replace the tendency to form negative cliques and gangs.

No event like this would be complete without music, and the Rodeo doesn't disappoint. At least five different inmate bands entertain the crowd and are also featured in the Rodeo itself. Even the National Anthem becomes part of the competition. The four inmates who do the honors-win the right in a facility-wide 'sing -off'.

None of these attractions would be as organized without the Employee Committee that puts on these events and meets on a regular basis with a 10- man inmate rodeo committee. A bond has been created between the inmate self-help organizations, the hobby crafters and the employee volunteers/sponsors. Many inmates I talked to told me that the Rodeo promotes stability at the prison. One old-timer told me that even 'negative people' don't dare mess up a good thing for the population.

The Rodeo

The RODEO itself is spectacular. It starts with the presentation of the Flag by the Angola Rough Riders, a 27-man precision riding team. These prisoners are Angola's only real cowboys. All are trusties working on the range crew, their seven day-a-week prison job that requires working with horses and livestock throughout the year. When they charge into the arena at full gallop- the show is about to begin.

The Wildest Show in the South begins with BUST OUT.


Above, Inmate Poker

Eight chutes open and eight bulls, with inmate cowboys attached, storm out....and the show is on. The events follow in rapid succession -- the Bucking Bronco ride, the Wild Horse race, Bulldogging, Buddy pick up, Wild Cow milking, Bull Riding and Convict Poker. In this event, the 'winner' is the last seated player at the card table. The challenger is the 2,000-pound bull that charges the card table.

The last event is 'Guts & Glory'


Above, Inmate Cowboys Ride

A large contingent of convict-cowboys waits in the ring for the turning loose of the meanest, toughest Brahma Bull available. The object of this event is for the cowboys to snatch the poker chip that is tied between the Big Boy's horns!!

The Rodeo is not for the faint-hearted-but it is well planned and thought-out. A large well- equipped Emergency Medical Services unit is on duty to treat any injuries. Professional Bull fighters, rodeo clowns and pick-up men are always at the ready. These skilled and dedicated professionals protect both the contestants and the animals from serious injury.

From my vantage point directly behind the inmate contestants, I could feel their nervousness-but could also see how this event brought them together as this large group of racially diverse men rooted for and supported each other. The officers who supervised them were like coaches and firm uncles. Respect was apparent to all. I have never seen a striped shirt worn with such pride.

The Angola Rodeo is like nothing you have ever seen. Thousands of citizens cheer convicts! Fears are conquered. Men accomplish things they never dreamed of and employees proudly show off their facility.

This 18,000-acre facility has to be experienced...and Burl Cain loves to show it off. Call or write-he wants you to come see for yourself.