Today marks 40 years since the conclusion of the deadliest prison uprising in United States history. On September 13, 1971, New York State Police stormed the “D” yard at the Attica Correctional Facility in western New York, retaking the maximum security prison that had been seized by roughly 1,200 of the 2,250 inmates four days earlier. When the siege concluded, 39 individuals (including 10 prison employees) were dead.
A number of issues – overcrowding, racial tensions, inadequate educational opportunities, and mistreatment by prison employees among them – fueled the uprising. Many deep-seated problems in the correctional system were laid bare and visible for the world to see.
Today, many of the issues raised at Attica have been addressed. Educational opportunities for prisoners have been introduced, as have increased visitation and phone calls. Other issues remain unresolved. Attica still has over 100 cells intended for individual prisoners that are housing two inmates.
The Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) has a special web feature looking back at the events of September 1971. What lessons have we learned from the Attica uprising? What remains to be done?