1971 was a tumultuous time for corrections in this nation. The end of August brought the Deadliest Day in San Quentin History and September brought the Attica Prison Riot.
The Attica prison riot began on the morning on Thursday, September 9, 1971. 1,281 of the inmates housed at Attica took control of the prison. Guard William Quinn was beat and died two days later as a result of his injuries. 42 staff members were taken and held for 4 days. During those days, negotiations took place between the state and the inmates. Authorities agreed to 28 of the inmates demands but would not agree to complete amnesty from criminal prosecution.
On the night of Sunday, September 12, 1971, plans were drawn up to retake the prison by force. One last attempt was made to the inmates to reach an appeal before the retaking. At 8:25 a.m. on Monday, September 13, Commissioner of Corrections Russell Oswald directed the inmates to accept the settlement and release the hostages within the hour.
The inmates did not.
In preparation for prison authorities potentially taking the prison back by force, inmates had dug defensive trenches, electrified metal gates, fashioned crude battlements out of metal tables and dirt, and fortified the “Times Square” prison command center. After Oswald left following the inmates’ rejection of his latest offer, the inmates decided to try to impress upon prison officials that they were serious about their demands, and to remind them that inmates had power over the hostages if the state was to come in by force. The inmates brought 8 corrections officers to the catwalk on top of the command center and surrounded them with inmates armed with homemade weapons. 3 of those officers held hostage were John Stockholm, Donny Almeter and Mike Smith. Both John and Mike were on the catwalk that day.
By order of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, after consulting with President Richard Nixon, armed corrections officers and state and local police were sent in to regain control of the prison. By the time they stopped firing, 10 correctional officers and civilian employees were dead.
During this violent riot, many of the founding fathers of CPOF were just starting in their career. As CPOF was founded and grew, they were there for the families and survivors of the Attica Prison Riots. Frequently, John Stockholm, Donny Almeter and Mike Smith have made appearances and spoke publicly about their experience. It serves as a warning and reminder of not only how dangerous the inside of the walls are, but how important it is to take care of our own. The Attica prison right left behind widows, countless children and a broken village surrounding the prison.
Annually, CPOF’s board of directors and National Honor Guard travel to the memorial service held at Attica Prison in honor of the survivors and those killed during the riots.
Please watch these videos below to hear from both John and Donny as well as John’s wife Mary and what it was like for her living so close to the prison.
We Will Never Forget:
Guard William E. Quinn, 28, married with 2 children, EOW – September 11, 1971
Guard John J. D’Arcangelo Jr., 23, married with 1 child, EOW – September 13, 1971
Industrial Forman Elmer G. Hardie, 57, married with 8 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Senior Account Clerk Herbert W. Jones Jr., 26, married with 1 child, EOW – September 13, 1971
Guard Richard Lewis, 42, married with 2 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Industrial Foreman John G. Monteleone, 41, married with 5 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Principal Account Clerk Elon Werner, 64, married with 2 children, uncle of Ronald Werner, EOW – September 13, 1971
Sergeant Edward T. Cunningham, 52, married with 8 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Guard Carl W. Valone, 44, married with 4 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Guard Ronald Werner, 35, married with 3 children, EOW – September 13, 1971
Guard Harrison W. Whalen, 37, married with 2 children, died as a result of the injuries suffered September 11, 1971, EOW – October 9, 1971