On September 9, 1971, inmates at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York seized control of parts of the prison and took staff members hostage. The prisoners demanded better living conditions, political rights, and reforms to what they described as brutal treatment. Negotiations involved state officials, outside observers, and inmate representatives. After several days, state troopers and guards retook the prison by force, resulting in dozens of deaths among prisoners and hostages. The uprising drew national attention to prison conditions and helped spark broader debates about criminal justice and human rights.
