They sit in their cells for life, but twice a year killers and rapists attack wild horses and bulls at the Angola Prison Rodeo in the largest US security detention center. It is a brutal spectacle: The risk of injury is great, but a prize money and the cheers of the audience attract.

Angola, correctly called Louisiana State Penitentiary, was once considered the most dangerous prison in the United States. In the meantime, the conditions of detention have improved. More than 6000 prisoners are now housed in the facility, they are guarded and looked after by about 1800 employees.

These are the hard cases: robbery, rape, murder. A large proportion of the inmates will never leave prison during their lifetime. The state of Louisiana, where the prison is located, has the highest incarceration rate in the US and is known for its harsh punishments.

Like a folk festival - only bloodier

The former prison director Burl Cainder wanted to improve the image of the facility with the Rodeo: he had an arena built, 1965 was the first event. Today, the show is considered one of the most popular in the South of the US. In April and October, up to 10,000 visitors come to cheer for the prisoners.

The mood is exuberant: there is lemonade, a prisoner band plays. At a bazaar, visitors can buy handmade items from the inmates before they look at the rodeos. The photographer Travis Gillet got access to the grandstand of the participants and was allowed to speak with the inmates. See his photos here:

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14 pictures

Bloody fighting: Prisoner rodeo in Angola prison

The men compete against each other in different disciplines. In "Convict Poker" four people sit at a table, are attacked by a wild bull. Whoever gets up the last time wins. In "Guts & Glory" wins the one who grabs a poker chip from the forehead of a bull. Staying on the back of a rearing horse for as long as possible is the goal of the Rough Riders.

The men wear helmets and protective vests, but nevertheless fractures, bruises or abrasions are not uncommon. A previous training, the inmates do not get, most participants have never sat on a horse or bull before.

The prisoners do not force anyone, they volunteer; It is drawn, who is allowed to participate and in which discipline. Each time, many more men compete than there are starting places. "Almost everyone I spoke with wanted to attend," says Gillet.

Cheers and prize money lure

Only inmates who behave well may participate in the rodeos - it is considered a reward. The event serves to discipline, it ensures that the inmates behave. If one violates the rules, the permission is quickly gone.

Why do you want to join in despite all the dangers? For many prisoners, the prize money is important. Inmates earn very little by working in prison. The rodeos, however, bring high revenue - the more dangerous, the higher the profit. According to Gillet, some enjoy the moment of fame as the audience claps and cheers.

They fool around with other inmates, but also see friends and family. "It's like you're not an inmate anymore, it's like I'm back out there," says Timothy Gay. For a brief moment, they can forget the prison routine, remember the life on the other side of the fence and enjoy a touch of freedom.