Blood in the Water: The Story of Attica

It’s been nearly 50 years since the riot at Attica prison in upstate New York. The most shocking part about the book is how little has changed about the prison system in the intervening decades. From police corruption to a government cover-up, all the familiar elements from today’s issues with law enforcement were very much present in 1973 when a small fight in the A block tunnel turned into a riot and partial occupation that would make the state prison famous.

Prison riots and disturbances had already been happening before Attica. The summer before had already featured some problems. Two other prisons in NY State had rioted, along with some famous riots in California. Much of this had to do with how the state of New York was moving prisoners around its system. Down in New York City, they had been arresting many black people, but especially black men. Rather than try to house them in overcrowded jails in Brooklyn, they exported the men to upstate New York.

Location

The prison was built in a four-square style and looked like an old European fortress complete with walls, parapet, and turrets looking down on the open recreation areas that joined the arms of the prison. Long tunnels connected the central control area, called Times Square, to the other tunnels and the buildings where the men lived and worked. There were four…