Improving the Living Conditions in Prisons - Coursework Example

News on hunger strike called by inmates at Attica Correctional Facility in Northern California, there is a need for the relevant authorities to improve the living conditions in prisons. There is a need to reduce overcrowding and stop harassment infringed on the prisoners. Due to poor living conditions and salaries, corruption among the prison staff is inevitable. There is a need to increase the remuneration of prison warders and refurbish their working conditions.
Summary of Attica, NY 1971 prison riots
It refers to prison riots that occurred on the ninth of September 1971 at the Attica Correctional Facility, as inmates demanded sleeping and living conditions staged the rebellion. This was in response to the killing of George Jackson in California’s San Quentin Prison. He was a black prisoner who was involved in prisoners’ activist movements. The riots involved taking hostage of 33 prison staff after the inmates had revolted and taken control of the prison. Though the prison authorities tried to negotiate, only twenty-eight requests of the prisoners were agreed upon but complete amnesty was not realized. Moreover, the authorities did not heed the inmate's demand to transfer to the prison superintendent. However, the prisoners were surpassed as the state police gained control. The rebellion resulted in thirty-nine death that included prisoners, civilian employees, and correctional officers.
Reasons for its occurrence
The Attica prison riots were caused by prisoners’ rebellion regarding several prison conditions. The inmates claimed that the sleeping and living conditions had become unbearable; the prison wardens were cruel and insensitive to their welfare. Read More