Historic photos of Texas prisons show riots, rodeos and chain gangs

Click ahead to see historic photos from Texas death row inlcuding riots, rodeos and chain gangs Click ahead to see historic photos from Texas death row inlcuding riots, rodeos and chain gangs Photo: Mysa Photo: Mysa Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Historic photos of Texas prisons show riots, rodeos and chain gangs 1 / 90 Back to Gallery

THIS STORY ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2016:

State archive photos of prisons and inmates in Texas give a glimpse into what incarcerated life was like decades ago.

The gallery above features images obtained by mySA.com from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the state agency overseeing prisons. The photos — taken from the 1950's through the '80s — are among the oldest kept by that agency after some of the older archives were destroyed.

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From injured prisoners being tended to after riots to inspired inmates praying with the chaplain, the photos showcase everyday life in the Texas slammer.

Some mugshots of inmates who were executed by electrocution are included in the gallery such as Antonio Carrasco, a farm hand who was convicted of murder and killed in 1936.

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Many of the photos focus around the units in Hunstville, where the state's death row and execution chamber are located.

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kparker@mysa.com

Twitter: @KoltenParker