In Welcome to Hell by Leonard "Bot" Buteaux, Bot looks back on events that happened many decades ago, recounting his time in Angola State Penitentiary and the crimes that brought him there.
In 1957, Bot went AWOL from the Army and joined three friends to begin a life of crime. What started with cattle rustling escalated into burglary, armed robbery, safecracking, kidnapping, and attempted murder. In late 1959, the infamous Zorro Gang was brought to justice.
Maximum Security at Angola State Penitentiary was Hell. Bot recounts his efforts to survive alongside friends and opposing gang members; they fought using shanks, baseball bats, iron pipes, barbells, iron chairs, and fists. While serving his time, he worked, went to school, and proudly became and maintained the title of Light Heavyweight Champion.
Bot hopes that his story can inspire anyone who has ever been in trouble with the law to turn their life around and get an education, just like he did.
