America 1980-1989: Law and Justice Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 92 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1980-1989.

America 1980-1989: Law and Justice Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 92 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1980-1989.
This section contains 249 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1980-1989: Law and Justice Encyclopedia Article

Beginning the Decade with a Bang.

The New Mexico State Penitentiary, near Santa Fe, was lauded as one of the "most advanced correctional institutions in the world" when it opened in 1954. During the next twenty-six years it became one of the worst. By 1980, 1,136 inmates were packed into cells designed for 800, and young inmates with little criminal experience were being housed with some of the worst offenders. Inmates complained about substandard food and medical care. The correctional officers were underpaid and under trained. In February 1980 the conditions proved too much for the inmates, and a riot lasting thirty-six hours occurred. Remarkably, no shots were fired and no officers were killed, but the brutality committed by inmate against inmate was the worst in U.S. history. Thirty-three inmates were killed before the riot was over. Many of the dead were believed to be informants...

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This section contains 249 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1980-1989: Law and Justice Encyclopedia Article
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