
Attica Correctional Facility
Attica Correctional Facility - is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous criminals of th…
What type of prison is Attica?
Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous criminals of the time.
What happened to Attica?
… A year ago, the 50th anniversary of the tragic 1971 Attica prison uprising was the focus of documentaries, of discussions about the carceral state then and now, and of a solemn remembrance that drew hundreds to the prison grounds in western New York.
What is the Attica Prison uprising?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. The Attica Prison uprising, also known as the Attica Prison rebellion or Attica Prison riot, occurred at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, United States, in 1971.
What is the meaning of Attica State?
For the song, see Attica State (song). Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous criminals of the time.

What is life like in Attica prison?
Conditions for prisoners at Attica were harsh. Inmates spent at least 14 hours each day in their cells. Cramped cells, bad food, inadequate medical care, minimal recreation, and lack of employment training contributed to a dehumanizing atmosphere.
What is the most dangerous prison in New York?
These 7 Deadly Prisons Can Only Be Found In New YorkFishkill Correctional Facility; Beacon, NY. ... Clinton Correctional Facility; Dannemora, NY. ... Ossining Correctional Facility; Ossining, NY. ... Attica Correctional Facility; Attica, NY. ... Riker's Island; Bronx, NY. ... Auburn Correctional Facility; Auburn, NY.More items...•
What kind of prisoners go to Attica?
Overview. Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security level facility for males.
What is Attica prison known for?
Attica, New York, U.S. Prisoners revolted to seek better living conditions and political rights, claiming that they were treated as beasts. On September 9, 1971, 1,281 of the approximately 2,200 men incarcerated in the Attica Correctional Facility rioted and took control of the prison, taking 42 staff hostage.
What is the cruelest prison?
Carandiru Penitentiary in Brazil, South America is arguably the most violent and deadly prison in the world. In 1992, a violent prison massacre occurred when 102 inmates were shot dead. The prison is also known for terrible health problems.
What is the most feared prison?
United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX), USA. Also known as ADX Florence, Florence ADX, Supermax, or the Alcatraz of the Rockies, this is the most maximum-security prison in the United States.
Why do people scream Attica?
House starts chanting "ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA!" while arguing over his office carpet with Cuddy. This refers to the Attica prison riot in 1971, where prisoners took control of the facility after an uprising against the poor conditions.
Has anyone been charged for Attica?
No one was prosecuted for the torture that happened at Attica. The prisoners had a lawsuit that went on for 25 years, and after 25 years, they actually got a $12 million settlement because of the abuse that they had suffered. ...
Who is the most famous prisoner in Attica?
Perhaps the most famous inmate to do time in Attica was David Berkowitz, more commonly known as the Son of Sam killer. Berkowitz was a serial killer who murdered six people in the 1970s. He was transferred from Attica to another prison to serve his life sentence.
Is Attica prison still standing?
Fifty years later, the Attica Correctional Facility is still operational. According to Prison Pro, the prison still holds over 2,000 inmates. Since the riots, prison conditions have seen slight improvements with better healthcare and becoming geared toward rehabilitation.
Is Attica prison on lockdown?
The prison is currently on lockdown and a search for contraband is ongoing.
How many prison guards died at Attica?
Thirty-nine people were killed in the disastrous assault, including 29 prisoners and 10 prison guards and employees held hostage since the outset of the ordeal. On September 9, prisoners rioted and seized control of the overcrowded state prison. One prison guard was fatally beaten.
What is the most famous prison in New York?
Rikers Island is a 413.17-acre (167.20-hectare) island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that contains New York City's main prison complex.
Is there a supermax prison in NY?
Five Points Correctional Facility (FPCF) is a maximum security state prison for men located in Romulus, New York, and operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Five Points is known as a supermax prison.
What is the bloodiest prison in America?
AngolaAngola, once known as “America's Bloodiest Prison,” is the largest maximum security prison in the nation. Angola's storied history of instability and reform serve as a reminder of the progress made within corrections and the possibilities of rehabilitation.
Is Rikers Island a dangerous prison?
Rikers Island has been notorious for violence and neglect for decades.
What was the prisoner uprising in 1971?
During this time period there was also a growing culture of prisoner activism. The previous year there was an uprising at another New York correctional facility, the Manhattan Detention Complex. Rioters held five guards hostage for eight hours, until state officials agreed to hear prisoner grievances and take no punitive action against the rioters. Despite that promise, officials had the primary ringleaders shipped upstate to Attica and many spent months in solitary confinement and were facing criminal charges. In July 1971, a group of Attica inmates presented a list of 27 demands regarding improving conditions in Attica to Commissioner of Corrections Russell Oswald and Governor Nelson Rockefeller. The commissioner did not take any actions on the list of demands, and Attica warden Vincent Mancusi responded by adding additional restrictions to inmates' reading materials and personal belongings. In addition, in August 1971, George Jackson, a member of the Black Panther Party, was shot and killed during an escape attempt at San Quentin State Prison, after killing three guards and two inmates. The death of Jackson is considered by some historians to be a direct cause of the uprising at Attica. The day after Jackson's death, at least 700 Attica inmates participated in a hunger strike in his honor.
What was the name of the prison revolt?
The Attica Prison Rebellion, also known as the Attica Prison Massacre, Attica Uprising or Attica Prison Riot , was the bloodiest prison riot in United States history and is one of the best-known and most significant flashpoints of the prisoners' rights movement.
What was the result of the Attica prison riots?
As a result of the riot, a number of changes were made in the New York prison system to satisfy some of the prisoners' demands, reduce tension in the system, and prevent such incidents in the future. As of 2021. [update] , Attica remains the most prominent prison riot to have occurred in the United States.
How many correctional officers were wounded in the Attica Prison riot?
5 correctional officers wounded during the assault. The Attica Prison riot, also known as the Attica Prison rebellion, Attica massacre or Attica Prison uprising, occurred at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, United States, in 1971. It was the bloodiest one-day encounter between Americans since the US Civil War ...
How many prisoners were in prison in 1971?
On September 9, 1971, two weeks after the killing of George Jackson at San Quentin State Prison, 1,281 of the Attica prison's approximately 2,200 inmates rioted and took control of the prison, taking 42 staff hostage.
Why was one state trooper indicted?
One state trooper was indicted for reckless endangerment. Inmates and families of inmates killed in the prison retaking sued the State of New York for civil rights violations by law enforcement officers during and after the retaking of Attica.
How many demands did the Attica prisons have?
During the following four days of negotiations, authorities agreed to most of the prisoners' 27 demands, but would not agree to demands for complete amnesty from criminal prosecution for the prison takeover or for the removal of Attica's superintendent.
What is the Attica Correctional Facility?
Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous criminals of the time.
How many people died in the Attica Prison riot?
Main article: Attica Prison riot. Attica was the site of a prison riot in 1971 that resulted in 43 deaths, of which 33 were convicts and ten were correctional officers and civilian employees.
Where is the Attica prison?
For the song, see Attica State (song). Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous criminals of the time.
Where was El Sayyid Nosair?
El Sayyid Nosair, 1993 World Trade Center bombing terrorist was housed in Attica for a short duration related to the Assassination of Meir Kahane in 1990.
When was Valentino Dixon released?
Housed in Attica in 1985. He died in March 1993. Edward Cummiskey, Westies hitman during the 1970s. Valentino Dixon was found to be innocent and was released in 2018, after 27 years of incarceration, when another man confessed to the murder of which Dixon was convicted.
Who was the fall guy in Attica?
Francois, who was serving a life sentence without parole, died in September 2014. Frank P. Giffune, the Italian mob " fall guy " was sent to Attica in 1940 and sentenced to 12–25 years for grand larceny.
Who was the leader of the Black Panther Party?
H. Rap Brown, Black Panther Party leader, served a sentence in Attica from 1971 to 1976. Jimmy Caci, a captain in the Los Angeles crime family spent eight years in Attica during the 1970s for armed robbery. Mark David Chapman, who pleaded guilty to murdering John Lennon in 1980.
Overview
Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security level facility for males.
Programs
Every facility has a variety of programs to help incarcerated individuals, which can include:
Visitation
Visitation information effective 4/13/21 - VISITATION WILL RESUME EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2021
What is Rikers Island known for?
Rikers Island: Queens, New York. As one of the country’s most famous correctional facilities, Rikers has a reputation for violence of all kinds between prisoners and toward guards. One such incident in 2007 involved a prisoner being brutally beaten by other inmates as guards watched.
What prisons were subjected to cruel punishment?
Inmates were subjected to cruel punishment by guards, leading to severe psychological deterioration and violence among inmates, including murder. Louisiana State Penitentiary: Angola, Louisiana. Louisiana State Penitentiary , known as the Alcatraz of the South, is the largest maximum security prison in the country.
What is the oldest prison in California?
Folsom State Prison: Folsom, California. Hosting its share of violent criminals, including famed ones such as Charles Manson and Suge Knight, Folsom is one of the oldest prisons in California. The maximum security facility has a long history of gang violence.
What prison has a name like "The Slaughterhouse"?
With its frequent stabbings and violent attacks between prisoners this prison has earned names like “The Slaughterhouse” and “House of Pain.”. United States Penitentiary Atlanta: Atlanta, Georgia. This prison is known for housing transfer inmates in 56-square-foot isolation cells for weeks on end.
How many people were sent to the emergency room in 2012?
The Southern Poverty Law Center found that in just one month in 2012 the prison sent 23 inmates to the emergency room for severe injuries resulting from violent encounters. Penitentiary of New Mexico: Santa Fe, New Mexico.
What are the names of the criminals in the Polunsky prison?
Notable inmates include Michael Vick, Bugs Moran and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Polunsky: Livingston, Texas.
What was the most famous event in the Cuban prison?
Its most famous event was the 1987 riot of Cuban detainees who set fire to the prison. Guards and inmates were hospitalized, many with gunshot wounds. Reeves County Detention Complex: Pecos, Texas. This institution is notorious for its lack of proper medical treatment for inmates.
What is Rikers Island known for?
Rikers Island is known as one of the most violent prisons in the country . This prison is where convicted sex offender and former producer Harvey Weinstein was remanded before his trial in March of last year.
Why is San Quentin so violent?
However, behind that notoriety is a history of violent crimes, riots, rapes, and gang activities. One of the primary reasons for this violent atmosphere is the overcrowding problem due to a large influx of prisoners. Of course, that wouldn’t be too much of a problem if it weren’t for the fact that the prison’s facilities weren’t made to house that large of an inmate population, inciting anger and frustration among its prisoners.
How long did Michael Vick stay in prison?
It is most notably known for housing Michael Vick for 23 months for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring.
Where is the ADX facility?
2: ADX Florence Facility. ADX Florence Facility can be found near Florence, Colorado, and is one of the most notorious federal prisons in the country, earning the moniker of “Alcatraz of the Rockies.”. This facility is the only federal supermax prison in all of the United States, known for keeping its residents under solitary confinement ...
Where is Attica Correctional Facility?
Attica Correctional Facility is found in Wyoming County, New York. Like the other prisons on this list, it houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the country. What’s unique to this facility is that it is home to inmates who have had disciplinary problems at other facilities, too. The most notable event in its eerie history is a riot that occurred in 1971, where 30 inmates and 10 correctional officers lost their lives. Due to this and a string of other riots, the facility was then equipped with a tear gas system to subdue residents within the mess hall and industry area.
Where is the US penitentiary?
The United States Penitentiary is a former supermax prison located in Marion, Illinois. Interestingly enough, this prison was opened in 1963 to replace another infamous prison – Alcatraz, which closed down that very year.
When was Folsom State Prison built?
Folsom State Prison is the second-oldest penitentiary in the state, having been built in the year 1880. Besides being the second-oldest penitentiary in its state, it is also one of the country’s first maximum-security prisons.
Why was Chapman confined to Attica?
Chapman was confined to a Special Handling Unit at Attica partially due to concerns that he might be harmed by fans of Lennon and also because Chapman refused to eat for 26 days early in his imprisonment. In 2012, Chapman was transferred to the Wende Correctional Facility.
What prison was the site of the 1971 prison riot?
The Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in New York. It was the site of the famous prison riot of 1971, initiated by prisoners demanding better living conditions. The altercation left 39 people dead.
Where did Caci go to prison?
In the 1970s, Caci spent eight years at Attica prison for armed robbery where he met Stephen "the Whale" Cino. They would both eventually switch to the Los Angeles family. In the late 1970s he moved to Southern California. He was promoted to caporegime shortly after by boss Peter Milano.
What was the significance of the Berkowitz killing spree?
The killing spree terrorized New Yorkers and achieved worldwide notoriety.
Where is Dean Faiello?
Dean Faiello (born August 31, 1959) is an American criminal currently imprisoned at Attica Correctional Facility after being found responsible for the April 2003 death of Maria Cruz, to whom he had represented himself as a dermatologist. Faiello held neither a medical degree nor a license to practice medicine.... more
How many people did Colin Ferguson kill?
On December 7, 1993, a Long Island Rail Road train pulled into the Merillon Avenue station in Garden City, New York, when passenger Colin Ferguson pulled out a 9mm pistol and started firing at other passengers. He murdered six people and wounded 19 others before being stopped by other passengers. Ferguson's trial was notable for a number of unusual developments, including his firing his defense counsel and insisting on representing himself and questioning his own victims on the stand. On February 17, 1995, Ferguson was convicted of the six murders. He was also convicted of attempted murder for wounding 19 passengers. As of 2019, he is serving his sentence of 315 years and 8 months to life... more
Why was Rosenberg sentenced to death?
Rosenberg was sentenced to death for his involvement in a double homicide of two New York City police officers. His sentence was commuted to life in prison to be consistent with laws reducing the use of capital punishment in New York.

Overview
The Attica Prison Riot, also known as the Attica Prison Rebellion, the Attica Uprising, or the Attica Prison Massacre, took place at the state prison in Attica, New York; it started on September 9, 1971, and ended on September 13 with the highest number of fatalities in the history of United States prison uprisings. Of the 43 men who died, 33 inmates and 10 correctional officers and employe…
Background
The uprising occurred within a larger context of poor prison conditions and systemic racial discrimination in the late 20th century. Historian Howard Zinn wrote of the conditions in Attica prior to the uprising,
"Prisoners spent 14 to 16 hours a day in their cells, their mail was read, their reading material restricted, their visits from families conducted through a mesh screen, their medical care disgrac…
The initial uprising
On Wednesday, September 8, 1971, an incident occurred that catalyzed the riot the next day. According to Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy, an account of the uprising by historian Heather Ann Thompson, two inmates scuffled during their recreation break, and a correctional officer came up to intervene. One inmate had already left the area, but the officer demanded the remaining inmate return to his cell, and in the ensuing argument the in…
Negotiations
Once inmates had secured their section of the prison, they began organizing. Inmates elected leaders to represent them in negotiations and appointed inmates to serve as medics and security. They began drafting a list of demands for officials to meet before they would surrender. For example, Frank "Big Black" Smith (September 11, 1933 – July 31, 2004) was appointed as head of security, and he kept both the hostages and the observers committee safe. Additionally, 21-year …
Retaking of the prison and retaliation
On the night of Sunday, September 12, 1971, plans were drawn up to retake the prison by force. Members of the team of observers argued for Oswald to deliver to inmates one final appeal for a settlement before the forcible retaking. Oswald agreed, but was instructed not to phrase the demand as an ultimatum, as Rockefeller did not want to let inmates know that the assault was beginning. At 8:25 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 1971, Oswald gave the inmates a statement …
Public response
Following the uprising, protests and riots occurred in prisons across the United States, including in prisons in New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, and Georgia. According to a Prisoners Solidarity Committee newsletter from September 30, 1971, "The 13 reported rebellions since the Attica massacre doubles the total number of reported prison rebellions since t…
Lawsuits and payments
In October 1971, Robert Fischer was appointed as Special Deputy Attorney General to lead the Attica Task Force and was charged with investigating any criminal acts that may have been committed during the uprising or retaking (Fischer was later succeeded as the Attica Task Force leader by Anthony Simonetti). Within four years of the uprising, 62 inmates had been charged in 42 indictments with 1,289 separate counts. One state trooper was indicted for reckless endanger…
Effects on the New York State prison system
Partially in response to the Attica uprising, the New York State Department of Corrections implemented changes including:
1. Providing more basics such as more showers, soap, medical care, and family visits
2. Introducing a grievance procedure in which inmates could report actions by a staff member that violated published policy
Overview
Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum security campus New York State prison in the Town of Attica, New York, operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was constructed in the 1930s and held many of the most dangerous convicts of the time.
A CS gas system (chlorobenzylidine malononitrile) installed in the mess hall an…
Rebellions
Attica was the site of a prison uprising in September 1971 in which inmates took control of the prison for several days. They were seeking to negotiate to improve conditions and treatment at the overcrowded prison. The state's suppression of the uprising resulted in 43 deaths, of which law enforcement gunfire killed 9 hostage correctional officers and civilian employees, and 30 prisoners. One guard died of injuries sustained from inmates in the first day of the uprising. Thre…
Notable inmates
• David Berkowitz, better known as Son of Sam, serial killer who confessed to killing six people and wounding several others in New York City during the late 1970s. Since becoming a Christian, Berkowitz has said that he should pay for the sins he has committed and will not seek parole. Berkowitz is now housed at Shawangunk Correctional Facility.
• H. Rap Brown, Black Panther Party leader, served a sentence in Attica from 1971 to 1976.
See also
• Inmates of Attica Correctional Facility v. Rockefeller
Further reading
• Thompson, Heather Ann (August 23, 2016). BLOOD in the WATER : The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy (Vintage Books ed.). New York: Pantheon Books. ISBN 9780375423222.
• Robbins, Tom; D’Avolio, Lauren (March 2, 2015). "3 Attica Guards Resign in Deal to Avoid Jail". The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
External links
• Attica Correctional Facility webpage
• New York State Prison System webpage