The sound of inmates playing harmonicas, guitars and various other instruments echoed in the background as spectators of all ages and backgrounds shopped through the arts and crafts for sale and waited for the start of the main event.
The home of criminals and the site of films such as Monster’s Ball and Dead Man Walking is also the home of one of the most prized traditions of the South: the Angola Prison Rodeo.
“The inmates live for Sundays in October,” said Cathy Fontenot, head of promotions and public relations for the Angola Rodeo. “Conduct records reflect that they will abide by the rules just to keep themselves eligible for the rodeo.”
Fontenot said the rodeo serves to lift the spirits of those who come to watch, as well as those participating in the rodeo.
“The rodeo does bring hope to the inmates, and the sellout crowds demonstrate that even in the aftermath of two natural disasters, the rodeo can bring hope to civilians as well,” Fontenot said. “The inmates can show that they are morally rehabilitated and that people can come into their world and leave safely.”
While the inmates volunteer for the rodeo, not all of the inmates are automatically eligible to participate, Fontenot said.
“They must work and live in dormitory settings rather than cell blocks,” Fontenot said. “This indicates they have a good conduct record.”
The Angola Prison Rodeo hires professional rodeo clowns, pick-up men, announcers and rodeo stock contractors to ensure the safety of the inmates and animals involved. The inmates do not train for the rodeo, Fontenot said.
“The lack of practice contributes to the show’s wildness,” she said.
The rodeo begins with the grand entry, where the Angola Rough Riders enter the arena and colors are presented. Rodeo events include bareback riding, wild cow-milking and convict poker. In convict poker, four inmate cowboys sit at a table playing poker, and must try to remain seated as a wild bull is released with the sole purpose of unseating the poker players. The last man remaining seated is the winner.
The only event in which the inmates do not participate is barrel racing. Members of the Girl’s Rodeo Association, which tours around the country, participate in this event, in which they race horses through a pattern of three barrels. The first girl to finish is the winner.
The last event of the day is “guts and glory.” In this event, the inmates try to retrieve a poker chip tied to a wild Brahma bull.
“My favorite event was convict poker,” said Rebecca Franzella, education sophomore who attended the rodeo Sunday. “It was crazy to see these guys try to play poker when a bull is running towards them.”
The Angola Rodeo started in 1965 and has become the longest running rodeo in the country, attracting people from a variety of backgrounds and places.
“People come from all over the world to witness the wildest show in the South,” Fontenot said.  
The inmates not only participate in the rodeo, but also built the 7,500-seat arena in which the rodeo takes place.
“The rodeo arena was also built by skilled inmates and is a testament to the fact that they are indeed useful even if they are destined to live the rest of their days in prison,” Fontenot said.
Inmate craft items, such as jewelry, leather crafts, paintings and woodworks are for sale at the rodeo.
“The inmate hobby crafters keep themselves busy all year to have enough crafts ready to sell at the events,” Fontenot said.
The inmates are also challenged by their warden to create a commemorative poster for that year’s rodeo, which is for sale to spectators, as well as souvenir T-shirts and caps.
The Angola Prison Band is organized by the inmates and performs throughout the rodeo.
“The inmates form the band and teach each other to play various instruments,” Fontenot said. “The band practices throughout the year and is supervised by the prison workers.”
The Angola Prison rodeo takes place every Sunday in October, at Angola Prison, 22 miles outside of St. Francisville. The tickets cost $10. Proceeds from the Angola Prison Rodeo go to supplement the Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmate Welfare Fund, which provides for inmate educational and recreational supplies, as well as to cover rodeo expenses. 
Contact Kelly Caulk at kcaulk@lsureveille.com