What was the Attica Prison Uprising?

The Attica Prison Uprising began on September 9, 1971, two weeks after imprisoned Black revolutionary George Jackson was assassinated while attempting to escape San Quentin. During the four-day uprising, nearly 1300 prisoners took over control of the prison and held 43 guards hostage. They issued a series of demands aimed at improving the inmate’s living conditions. But rather than negotiate with the insurgent prisoners, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller sent in an army of 550 state troopers and 74 Correctional Officers to storm the facility and retake it by force. 43 people were killed during the resulting bloodbath, including 10 guards and 33 prisoners. In the ensuing outcry, a number of reforms were passed to improve conditions in the New York state prison system.