Angola Prison Rodeo: Inmates Tame Bulls for Cash Prizes

At Louisiana's Angola Prison Rodeo, inmates mount 2,000-pound bulls, aiming for cash prizes up to $500. Events like 'convict poker'—where participants sit at a table as a bull charges—highlight the rodeo's perilous nature. As one inmate noted, 'After you get hit by a bull one time, you know what it feels like and you don't have that fear any more.'
Beyond the adrenaline, the rodeo offers inmates a rare chance to earn money, with some making over $400 in three Sundays. This contrasts sharply with their usual wages of 2 to 75 cents per hour. Critics liken the spectacle to a modern-day gladiator arena, questioning the ethics of such entertainment.
Despite safety measures like helmets and vests, injuries are common, with participants receiving no prior training before facing the bulls.