The Angola prison rodeo – in pictures

A bull rears above a prisoner as he and others try to snatch a poker chip tied to its head in the Guts & Glory event. Louisiana's most violent criminals, many serving life sentences for murder, are the stars of the nation's longest-running prison rodeo Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

A bull rams inmates seated at a card table in the Convict Poker event Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

Inmates ride a horse in the Buddy Pick-Up event Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

A guard takes tickets as people enter the Angola prison rodeo in Louisiana. The rodeo began in 1965 at a small arena built by a handful of inmates and prison personnel. The spring event is held on the last weekend of April; further rodeos take place every Sunday in October Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

Prisoners hold hands and form a circle to pray inside the ring before the start. Only the prison's most well-behaved inmates get to participate Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

Miss Rodeo Louisiana, Hannah Bergeron, walks past the inmate section Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

Inmates lean on a fence as they watch visitors arrive at Louisiana State Penitentiary, north of Baton Rouge. Sports make the prison a safer place to live and work, according to the prison's athletic director. 'It keeps them occupied, keeps their minds occupied. It also gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment' Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

Prisoners participating in the rodeo sit behind a fence. Thousands of others make arts and crafts to sell at the event to raise funds Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

The merry-go-round at the rodeo Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

An inmate prepares clothes for participants Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

A prison guard stands guard at a locked gate at the arena. Proceeds from the rodeo go into the prison's Inmate Welfare Fund, which helps pay for inmate education and recreational supplies Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

In 1967 the rodeo was opened to the public and is now a big business that draws thousands of spectators Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP

A prisoner is thrown into the air by a bull. Those competing in the rodeo have to pass a physical examination to be deemed strong and healthy enough Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP