Analysis Of The Wildest Show In The West

Jessica Adams’ article, The Wildest Show in the West, focuses on the convergence of leisure and imprisonment (Adams, 95). Adams investigates the social hierarchy that is within the prison system. Adams’ puts Angola, Louisiana’s very own State Penitentiary, under the microscope as she examines social order. Through cheap entrainment and the turn of a profit, Adams’ draws attention to how the Angola penitentiary aids social order. Adams reflects on Angola’s yearly rodeo. The rodeo, famously recognized as “The Wildest Show in the West”, is a visual representation that epitomizes social order. The rodeo attracts “outsiders”, citizens who possess their freedom beyond the marked boundaries of a prison. Outsiders enter the prison grounds for the

Adams’ research into the Angola prison has given insight to the different races inside prisons. Through her exploration, it has become evident there are more people of color behind bars, than white people (Adams, 104). Analysis of execution has proven that more men than women are executed. Adams’ highlighted in her research that when the museum at Angola opened its showcased eight six mug shots of men and only one of a woman who were executed (Adams, 101). Over her research of the prison and the rodeo, Adams’ reveals that the large inequality of economic power within the prison system. Investigation on the inmate cowboys’ winnings and profit from their “hobby crafts”, show that it is funneled back into the prisons economy, when prisoners purchase cigarettes, food, and gifts for their family (Adams, 97). Over the course of the article there were many interesting facts and images shared with the readers. Adams’ in depth account of the rodeo as well as the execution chambers were interesting. However, what stood out the most in the article was how the inmates desired to take part in such a gruesome event. Prisoners explained that being apart of the rodeo offers a moment of freedom from their sentence (Adams, 99). The idea of the rodeo being a release for inmates is an interesting notion. The time spent in the right is not only providing entertainment for outsiders, but also fosters an environment where those who are held captive can achieve a brief moment of freedom. Although many of the inmates endure physical pain in their time in the ring, they believe it eases their mind from their sentence. Questions that may arises during and after reading Adams’ article are: Do all prisons in the United States suggest and advocate a social order similar to Adams’ findings in Angola? By critiquing the way that prisoners are treated as subordinates to outsiders, and