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Attica Correctional Facility

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In an official report of the events that occurred at Attica Correctional Facility, the McKay Commission, called it the “bloodiest one day encounter between Americans since the Civil War.” From September 9th, 1971 to September 13th, 1971 inmates took control of Attica in hopes of gaining leverage on the demands of obtaining the removal of state control over the prison, livable conditions, amnesty for crimes during the rebellion and diversity among correctional staff. For five days, inmates ceased control of this state operated prison by taking hold thirty-nine guards and employees as hostages. After four days of negotiations, state officials retook the prison by lethal force killing a total of thirty-nine unarmed citizens, ten of which were …show more content…

What the correction officers considered security and correction was the prevailing theme that created the environment of degradation and dehumanizing living conditions. Typical life for roughly 2,243 inmates consisted of fourteen to sixteen hours a day in overcrowded cells, minimal working wages of thirty cents a day with no further employment training, over regulated activities, censored reading and media materials, and the right to free choice was nonexistent. When it came to hygiene, inmates had no privacy when using toilet areas, commode needs where insufficient, and showers were permitted only once a week. Meals did not meet nutritional standards, clothing was poor and scanty, and medical services were offered in an uncaring manner. Visitation was extremely strict, family and friends were seen through mesh screen which were preceded and followed by strenuous strip searches of the inmates. As well, there was no significant programming to prepare inmates for society; Attica did not offer any career training, psychological and mental assistance, nor drug rehabilitation. Collectively all these conditions led to the unbearable environment that was made even more dehumanizing, due to institutional and social racism. The Attica prison population in 1971, was fifty-four percent Black, thirty-seven percent White, and approximately nine percent Latino with an all-White correctional staff. Racism was prevalent, it was customary self-segregation among inmates, job assignments were based of color, and discipline was unfair between prisoners and officers due to racial hostility. A common relationship between officers and inmates would include ill feelings of hostility, distrust, and prejudice. White officers from rural areas of New York, only had three weeks of training, and minimal contact with improvised Blacks and

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