38 years ago more than 1,000 inmates took over the maximum security prison
Attica! Attica! Attica!
by Kevin Alexander Gray
It was 38 years ago, when more than 1,000 inmates at the maximum security facility took over the prison.
The prisoners broke windows and burned beds and furniture after overtaking 32 guards and civilian employees.
It took over 1,500 state troopers and sheriff deputies to regain control.
By September 13th 1971, 42 people had been killed and the uprising was over.
There were many causes of the riot. Tensions were already high “as the prison was extremely overcrowded and inmates were being denied basic sanitation needs. They were usually limited to one shower a week and one roll of toilet paper per month. Additionally there were allegations of racism by the prison’s all white guards against the 54% black population and a significant Puerto Rican minority.
Using pipes, chains, and baseball bats, the inmates quickly overcame the guards in the area. Suddenly they were in command of the prison and had taken 40 staff members hostage. Their demands were: federal takeover of the prison, better conditions, amnesty for the crimes committed during the revolt, and the removal of the prison’s superintendent.
The authorities and prisoners remained at a stalemate for four days until New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller approved an operation to reclaim the prison. Tear gas was dropped by helicopter into the prison yard and law enforcement officers opened fire into the smoke. In six minutes more than two thousand rounds had been discharged. The prison was retaken but at the cost of thirty nine inmates and ten guards lives.
Read and Watch More @ The New Liberator
Attica! Attica! Attica!
by Kevin Alexander Gray
It was 38 years ago, when more than 1,000 inmates at the maximum security facility took over the prison.
The prisoners broke windows and burned beds and furniture after overtaking 32 guards and civilian employees.
It took over 1,500 state troopers and sheriff deputies to regain control.
By September 13th 1971, 42 people had been killed and the uprising was over.
There were many causes of the riot. Tensions were already high “as the prison was extremely overcrowded and inmates were being denied basic sanitation needs. They were usually limited to one shower a week and one roll of toilet paper per month. Additionally there were allegations of racism by the prison’s all white guards against the 54% black population and a significant Puerto Rican minority.
Using pipes, chains, and baseball bats, the inmates quickly overcame the guards in the area. Suddenly they were in command of the prison and had taken 40 staff members hostage. Their demands were: federal takeover of the prison, better conditions, amnesty for the crimes committed during the revolt, and the removal of the prison’s superintendent.
The authorities and prisoners remained at a stalemate for four days until New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller approved an operation to reclaim the prison. Tear gas was dropped by helicopter into the prison yard and law enforcement officers opened fire into the smoke. In six minutes more than two thousand rounds had been discharged. The prison was retaken but at the cost of thirty nine inmates and ten guards lives.
Read and Watch More @ The New Liberator
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