ATTICA — 1971 · Major Tragedy
The Attica Prison Uprising
On 9 September 1971 some 1,300 inmates at Attica Correctional Facility in New York State, protesting overcrowding, racism and poor conditions, seized part of the prison and took 42 staff hostage. During four days of negotiations most demands were accepted, but amnesty and the warden's removal were refused. On Governor Nelson Rockefeller's order, state police and correction officers stormed the prison on 13 September. In all, 43 people died during the uprising; 39 of them, including ten hostages, were killed by gunfire from the retaking force. It remains the deadliest prison uprising in U.S. history.
- Date
- 1971
- Place
- Attica Correctional Facility, New York, USA, Attica, US
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 42.8490, -78.2720 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 9 September 1971Inmates seized part of the prison and took 42 staff hostage.
- 10-12 September 1971Most of 28 demands were accepted in talks; amnesty was refused.
- 13 September 1971State police retook the prison; 39 people died in the assault.
- 2000The state reached an $8 million settlement with surviving inmates.
Sources
- History.com — Uprising at Attica prison begins history.com ↗
- New York State Police — Attica Prison Riots troopers.ny.gov ↗
- Wikipedia — Attica Prison riot en.wikipedia.org ↗
- History.com
- New York State Police
- Buffalo News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.