A wave of riots has swept U.S. prisons.
Within 20 months, riots have occurred in 35 states.
It began in Trenton, New Jersey
moved quickly to Jackson, Michigan.
Here at Michigan Penitentiary for five days
the world's largest walled prison is torn to pieces by maddened convicts
who destroy everything they can put their hands on.
Damage is estimated at $2 1/2 million.
Then, in Pennsylvania, inmates seize
five guards as hostages in Western State Penitentiary.
Damage runs high, as we can see
in this view inside one of the wrecked cell blocks.
At almost the same time
231 convicts carry out a similar rebellion
in Rahway, New Jersey, at the state prison farm.
Here, bed sheets, scrawled with slogans
are hung from broken windows.
The convicts hold out for 4 1/2 days
before submitting to authority.
In Menard Prison at Chester, Illinois
state police are called.
Ten guards are held as hostages
three of them by prisoners in the psychiatric division.
Here, the inmates insist on speaking
only to the governor about their grievances.
These riots, costing millions,
and millions of taxpayer dollars
have aroused great public interest.
Mr. McGee, what, in your opinion
is the reason these riots occur?
I would like to paraphrase the report of the American Prison Association
on riots and their causes.
The recent widespread occurrence of prison riots
is almost always the direct result
of the shortsighted neglect of our penal institutions
amounting to almost criminal negligence.
Who is responsible for this negligence?
Public leaders, such as governors, legislators and others
who must share the responsibility for prisons
as well as for other branches of government.
And that neglect includes the public?
Yes, indeed. In the final analysis, especially the public.
One final question:
Do you look to further riots in the future?
I abhor riot and disorder,
but until something is done to correct the situation
we will not see the end of prison troubles.
Thank you, Mr. McGee.
All over America, prison officials wonder...
"Where will the next riot occur?"
- Mac, you ever been in the punishment block? - No.
Keep your nose clean, or we'll leave you in there.
Well, how's it doing after a couple of weeks?
I like it. Still can't help but feeling sorry for these guys, though.
You'll get over it.
Okay with the crosses.
What's so different about these guys?
X marks the wild animal.
Must be Thursday.
Hey, you gonna feed or ain't you?
You know what you can do with that garbage?
Take it.
This is Honest Hal, folks, bringing you
the greatest value in used cars.
We're actually giving these cars away.
Ha! If I'd have knew that, I wouldn't be here.
Now, I want you to rush right down here to 2730 Main Street.
Get that? 2730 Main Street - right away.
- I'm a-comin', boss! - Now, don't wait.
The right car for the right price for you.
Thanks.
♪ Ask me if it's true ♪
- ♪ Am I in love - ♪ - I got to find out about my kid.
- Put it in writing to the warden. - But.
♪ Can't you see the answer ♪
- ♪ In my eyes ♪ - Colonel?
- Yeah, Frank?
You're up for parole consideration, aren't you?
- That's right. - Do me a favor.
When you get out, find out if my little girl's still sick.
Well, I'm not out yet.
I gotta find out. I ain't heard in almost two months.
- Your wife will write you. - Naw, she won't write.
That's the reason I'm in here.
I thought I told you to take that bush off.
Yes, sir.
Uh, 63.
Gotcha.
- Barrett speaking. - Block 11, 238.
Hold it a minute.
- Go ahead. - Block 11, 238.
Eleven, 238.
Okay, you're in.
- Barrett. Go ahead. - Block 4, 637.
Four block, 637. Okay, you're in.
- Go ahead, 5. - Block 5, 433.
Five, 433. Okay, you're in.
"O Lord, God of my salvation"
I have cried day and night before thee.
Let my prayer come before thee.
Incline thine ear unto my cry,
for my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
I am counted with them that go down into the pit.
I am as a man that hath no strength, free among the dead
like the slain that lie in the grave
whom thou rememberest no more,
and they are cut off from thy hand.
Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit
"in darkness, in the deeps."
- Dummy up, will ya? - Knock it off!
- Somebody slug that creep! - Mother?
Mother?
Monroe!
Monroe, 48!
Yeah?
What do you want, Schuyler?
They're moving me to a new block tomorrow, and I got a present for Gator.
Would you give it to him now?
Yeah, sure.
- How'd you make it? - I got Monroe.
Good. Now for the others. There's only four screws tonight.
- We got to grab 'em all. - Snader's mine.
No cuttin', Carnie. We're gonna keep 'em alive. That's my plan.
Snader.
Open your trap, and we'll cut you a new one.
You're not supposed to have this, Snader.
All right, drag him out.
Acton!
Sergeant!
Hey! Monroe! Snader!
Hey! Monroe!
Snader!
Go ahead. You'll have your brains out!
Schuyler, keep that screw away from the phone!
Come on, hurry up. Come on! Let me free!
- Hurry up! - Let's go, Vito!
- I want out! - Let me at the screws!
- Open up the cells. - Hey, let me out, Dunn!
Let me out of here!
I can't believe it's happening!
- Let 'em out! - All right! Let's go!
Let's kill all screws!
- Where are the screws? - Let's go!
Barrett speaking.
This is Dunn. We've got 11 block and four of your guards.
- You've got what? - Get the warden down here or we're gonna kill every one of 'em.
Riot in cell block 11.
- What's up? - What's the sirens for?
I don't know, but I'll bet it's 11.
Sure, it's the guys in solitary.
It's a break!
Those guys have got guts enough to try anything.
- Well, here we go again. - Yeah, and all for 50 bucks a week.
Captain Barrett?
I've got your open line to the governor's office.
Yes, sir. I'll monitor all calls from 11.
Here's the armory, sir.
Armory, how many men have checked in?
Second watch is coming in now.
Good. Speed 'em along. Here's the way I want 'em dispersed
two in 1 block, five in 3 block
two unarmed in 4 block.
Those to be armed get rifles and tear gas.
And tell 'em not to get itchy fingers.
All right, boys, come on. Hurry up.
Watch those itchy fingers. Captain's orders.
Hello. Get me through to Barrett.
Well, cut in on him!
Hello? Hello, Barrett? This is Ambrose. What's up?
A riot in 11 block. The warden's on his way down.
- I'm at the gate. I'll wait for the warden. - Right. I'll meet you in the yard.
Take it easy, fellas!
All right, take it easy!
That's enough! That's enough!
Dummy up! Shut up!
Knock it off!
All right, cut it out!
Quiet down!
All right, pipe down!
If we're gonna win this, we've gotta have discipline!
Now, Carnie here and me are runnin' the show.
We all know what's wrong here.
We're gonna ask for changes, just like they did in the other prisons.
If they don't give it to us, we'll make 'em a present of one dead guard!
Or maybe four!
It may take all of 'em, but they'll listen!
Me and some of my friends are only in here
because there ain't no room on any other block.
We don't want no trouble.
Lay off!
You're either in or out, okay?
- You all covered? - Yes, sir.
- All posts set? - First thing I did.
- Doubled up in your building? - Yes, sir.
Who did they grab in 11?
Snader, Acton, Monroe
Monroe? Who assigned him to that block?
- It was my suggestion. - That was a mistake.
I figured him pretty green.
That block takes six guards. It's tough enough to dig up four.
You know how short we are.
All right, Dunn, I'm here.
I want your word, Warden, that I'll have safe-conduct.
I promise you no harm will come to you during this conversation.
Guards, these are my instructions:
Dunn is to be allowed to come out into this yard,
and to return to 11 without interference.
- How about it, Dunn? - Sure, Warden.
When he's ready, 16, open the gate.
- Want me to go with you? - No.
Just Snader.
I gave you my word, Dunn. Hold that gate.
I believe you, Warden, but I don't trust your screws.
You gonna open up?
- What do you want? - I want the press here tonight.
Inmates never win a riot. You know that.
That's my worry.
Release the hostages. I'll get the press.
I can't bargain with you as long as you're holding these men.
I wouldn't stand a chance without hostages, and you know it.
Give me your word you won't harm the hostages,
and I'll get the press.
- I can't hold my boys too long. - Couple of hours.
Okay.
- Attaboy, Dunn! - That's tellin' him!
- That's tellin' him. - Good work.
- How's it goin', Carnie? - We're waitin',
but we ain't sleepin'.
- Tony, make a list of all this stuff. - I can use that wire.
What do you want to do, blow us through the roof?
Hey, I got something to show you that's terrific. Come on.
Hey, what's that?
Learned how to mix that cocktail in Normandy.
Now, watch this. This is a real beauty.
Hey, that's all right.
Fasten that to the bars of the window, you can knock their brains out.
Make some more.
There we are. It's finished.
- How does that work? - Here, lend me your neck a minute.
Slip it over a screw's neck.
How's it feel, screw?
That's all right!
Holy smokes!
Right, Governor. I've got to have authority
to bargain with Dunn and send for the state police.
I warned you we were due for a riot.
I've even got 'em sleeping in the corridors of block 4.
You're always talking about overcrowding, old plant, insufficient personnel.
I don't want to argue that now.
Right now I've got a riot on my hands.
Give me the authority to act before this thing spreads.
Warden, I can't let convicts dictate terms to the state.
I'll send Haskell right away.
Yes, sir. Haskell!
I don't know what that politician will do here. These men can't vote.
Monroe's wife.
Yes, Mrs. Monroe?
Is it true my husband's in block 11?
That's right. He is in the block.
He'll be killed!
We're not going to let anything happen. I promise he'll be all right.
Yes. Good-bye.
Tell the operators not to put any more of the guards' wives through.
Just tell 'em they'll be okay. That's all I can tell 'em anyway.
I got four guys on the front gate, two on the roof.
Yard's all clear.
Captain Barrett's got nothing on you, Gator.
- You working out demands? - Well, we got a pretty good start.
Why don't we get the Colonel in on this?
I've been thinking about that. We could sure use him.
Well, then, use him.
Yeah.
Hey, Colonel
you're the only guy here besides me who could lead this riot.
You gonna help us?
I had to hit that boy to show these gunsels who's boss.
In the street they think we're wild animals. Tonight you proved it.
What chance do we have if we don't stick together?
This place is bad enough. Don't you make it worse.
We're trying to work up some demands.
I'm asking everybody for their beefs. What's yours?
The same as everyone else - the whole setup.
The bloody cages, the idleness.
- But this riot won't change it. - What will?
Maybe nothing.
We're forgotten.
Colonel, you've got education, medals.
You're used to handling men. Help us with the demands.
Count me out.
- I don't get it. - There are a lot of reasons.
For one thing, I'm up for parole consideration.
You're strictly for you.
All right, you control the boys. I'll help frame the demands.
Hey, Carnie.
- Monroe here wants a cigarette. - No.
Sure. What's the difference?
Sure. Give him the lighted end.
Here.
Take it. It's all right.
Thanks.
What are they doing out there? They're not gonna kill us, are they?
You'll be all right for a while.
It's not me. It's my wife. We're gonna have a baby.
How can you afford a kid on your salary?
I got two jobs - this one and one in town.
If I could get in touch with her.
Hmm. Now you know why the boys fuss so much over letters.
- If I could let her know I'm all right - - They've got wives too.
Y- You got a family?
Sure. Wife and a kid.
It's tough any way you look at it.
I figure too good.
I figure all the time, but it don't add up.
- I'm an accountant, a good one. - Embezzlement?
Nah, robbery.
I'm out for a while, then I take something I don't need.
Grocery, department store - it doesn't matter.
- You mean you don't need the stuff? - No.
Just got to take it. Like some fellas have to take a drink.
You belong in a psycho ward. You shouldn't be here.
You're - You're different.
"Different"? Take Ray in 26.
Armed robbery. Do you think all that happens
is that he says to himself, "I want something" and then goes and gets it?
Nah. It's not as simple as that.
There's something wrong with him too.
You - You mean they're all nuts?
Including the guards.
- Whose side you on, Mac? - Well, of course I, uh.
I need glasses to see,
but not to think.
I can't put you through to the warden, Mrs. Snader. The press just arrived.
Tell him I've got to talk to him.
All right, Mrs. Snader. I promise.
No, I'm sorry. The warden's with the press. I can't cut in.
What's a rookie guard doing in the hole?
We don't have enough men, and they're not good enough.
Most have to have other jobs to make a living.
- Any idea why this started? - Who's this Dunn?
Here.
Armed robbery, third offense. Murder, second degree.
Medical report says he's homicidal - dangerous and unbalanced.
He should be under psychiatric care.
- When do we get to see him? - We're waiting for Commissioner Haskell.
He's on his way here. Here's another one.
Crazy Mike Carnie.
In for life. Dunn's pal.
Transferred to us from the state mental hospital.
I've been trying to get him transferred back - with Dunn.
- No luck. - Are they all psychopaths?
Oh, no. We've got all kinds here.
Good and bad, just like on the outside. Here.
Vetter, known around here as the Colonel.
He is a colonel too. Brilliant war record.
Got drunk, fight in a bar, manslaughter.
He's up for parole consideration.
Should be out soon.
These men aren't here forever.
Ninety-five percent of them will be released.
Not men like Dunn.
He'll be living around you and your family.
And 65 percent of them will break the law again.
Sixty-five percent? That's a pretty high figure.
A figure that proves we're not doing the job.
Isn't that the same speech you gave the state legislature last summer?
It's the same speech he's been giving for the last nine years.
- Hello, Warden. Hello, everyone. - Hi, Haskell.
Well, let's get going, boys.
- Hello. How are you? - Hi, Commissioner.
- Hi, Jack. - Hi, Commissioner.
- How are you? - Nice seeing you, Bill.
- Barrett. - Mr. Haskell.
It's a fine mess you've gotten us into, Reynolds. Let's clean it up fast, huh?
All right, Dunn, here's the press.
Let me see your hands!
These are used on the inmates.
Drop 'em, or you can't come out.
Come on, hold up that chain. Now look fierce.
Show a screw with a chain.
Come on, show us how the chain works.
Sure, on you!
I'm coming out.
All right, 16, open the gate.
You gonna give us a statement, or do we ask questions?
We got beefs we want to bring to the attention of the public.
There's no work program.
Most of the guys are just sitting, waiting for their time to run out.
- You're asking for work? - Yeah.
- You think the public cares? - They ought to. It's costing them dough.
- Your paper gonna print this? - You know what we're interested in.
Yeah. Mad dogs running wild.
This place is badly organized.
Everybody's all jumbled up together
mental cases with kids.
We understand you've threatened to kill the guards if your demands are not met.
- Is that true? - You heard right.
Isn't that murder- in prison or out?
This state will be responsible for their deaths.
We understand the guards are married. Some have children.
- So have we. - You're not being killed.
We're rotting to death.
You know Mr. Haskell is here as the governor's representative.
If you can get together, will you call off the riot?
If we can get together.
You heard Dunn, Mr. Haskell.
I'd appreciate reading something like what I've said.
I heard. His charges are without foundation.
Isn't it a fact that the federal government says
that prisons of over 1,500 men are unmanageable?
This prison was built to house 4,000 men. It cost the taxpayers $26 million.
You want us to tear it down?
What's the cause of the riots, in your opinion?
I'll give you a full statement after I've talked to Dunn.
In a case like this, either the cons run the prison,
or the prison runs the cons.
- I wouldn't try to prove it tonight. - You gonna get the state police?
If I need them.
We gotta feed that Haskell a guard.
This is just the beginning. Take it easy.
Reynolds, this thing can spread. We can't let it.
We have to settle it tonight.
Okay, Haskell, what you got?
I want you to release the guards.
I bet you do.
- What do you want? - What are you gonna do for us?
If you don't give up, I'll see that every one of you hang.
Haskell, get away from me.
- Dunn! - Haskell, come back!
Dunn!
There's our statement, boys.
Oh, that's real brilliant, Carnie!
You gave 'em just what they wanted!
So far, the guys are behind me,
but for how long?
Some look up to you, and they'll follow you, not me.
Throw in with me, and we sew up the block.
I told you I would help organize the demands. That's what I'm doing.
I want you to do more than fix the language.
Check with the men so they'll know you're for the demands.
I'm for the demands but against the riot.
Maybe that's because you used to be brass.
Maybe. I don't think so.
Look, Colonel
every newspaper and radio in the country is watching this riot.
We'll never get a chance like this again.
Yeah, I know.
If we could just get across that anyone could land in prison
just like that!
I'm just gonna serve my time and get out.
- And never come back? - Yeah.
And never come back.
Still think you're different, don't you?
No.
But once you put this uniform on, you not only look like a con
you feel like one.
Yeah. Even if you don't come back
you'll always be an ex-con, so why not come the whole way?
I can't, Dunn. It's like mutiny. I just couldn't go for that.
If you only had three years on the street since you were 14, you'd know how I feel.
We're wasting time.
I'll do the best I can on the demands. Let's hope we can win some.
"Some"? We've got to win them all.
Jeff
if 11 can make it, so can we.
Don't rush it.
Yeah, I know. We're all tired.
But the guards have to stay at their posts until further notice.
This is Mr. Russell of the New York Sun. He just flew in.
Hello, Warden. How's Haskell doing?
Just a flesh wound.
Excuse me, Warden. Kitchen crews have reported
they're ready with breakfast, no incidents.
Good. Feed the blocks one by one. Start as usual.
Right now we're trying to feed 4,000 men.
Pardon me. I have to check the yard.
- Bring him up to date. - Sure. How about some coffee first?
Fine.
Yeah, what about the leg irons and chains?
Yeah, what about 'em?
That's covered in number three. You'll see when it's finished.
- Finished yet, Colonel? - Almost.
That's another thing.
Kids should be separated from guys like that.
Kids should be separated from what?
You heard me. From guys like you.
Rub your nose out of my business!
Don't get too big for your britches, sonny.
Mickey! Drop it.
- Commissioner, how do you feel? - All right, thanks.
What's going on?
We've fed 1, 2, and 3.
- Let 4 go, Barrett. - Yes, sir.
Delmar, Barrett speaking. Send 4 through.
Yes.
Isn't it risky letting those men go past 11 on their way to the mess hall?
It is. The only other way to do it
is to try to feed 4,000 men in their cells.
That has dangers too.
Don't know if I could spare enough guards for that and still maintain security.
Okay, keep moving.
Barrett, 18.
It's Dunn.
Yeah, Dunn?
Warden, we'll be ready in about 15 minutes.
Hold the phone.
- Dunn is ready to bargain. - Tell him you'll call him back.
I want to get this thing over with.
I'm not going to jump the minute he's ready.
Let him stew a while.
Time is on their side.
The longer we let this go, the more explosive it's going to get.
Tell him you'll call him back.
I'll call you back.
Just don't take too long, Warden.
He'd better not take too long.
Seven's still in business.
Sure wish I was with 'em.
This slop is rotten!
Attention, all towers. This is the warden.
Listen carefully.
Don't do any shooting unless they hit the wall.
- Cell block 5. - Yes, sir?
- Have they started yet? - Yeah, they're on their way.
Get 'em back. Block 4 has broken out of the mess hall.
Get yours back, whatever you do.
Yes, sir. We gotta get 'em back in their cells.
- All right. Come on back. - Hold it! Back in your cells!
Back in your cells. Come on.
Come on, get a move on there. Come on.
Come on. Come on back.
Grab a cell. Into your holes! Hit your drum!
If they lock you in, you're dead! They'll shoot you in your cells!
Let's go!
X-14 to 1734. Ready now.
Come in. State police, come in.
This is Lansing.
Hello, Captain. This is Warden Reynolds.
- Standing by, Warden. - We need you right now.
- As many men as you can spare. - Yes, sir.
How soon can you get here, Captain Lansing?
- I'm on my way. - Good.
Barrett, can you put any guards down in the yard?
I already have every man placed on 24-hour duty.
They've gone crazy. I'm getting scared.
Everybody's scared.
Toolhouse is on fire.
Fire Department.
Fire in the toolshed.
Fire in the toolshed! Let's go!
It's Roberts in cell block 5.
Roberts?
- Lifer. - Roberts?
- Yeah. - You can get death in this state for leading a riot.
I've done 20 years of hard time, Warden.
Tell those guys in the gun walk to lay off or we bring these guards through.
- Wait. You tell him. - Warden
these men mean to kill us!
Gun walk.
Gun walk
don't do any shooting when the men come out of 5.
Nineteen.
Nineteen tower.
The men are coming out of 5.
They have hostages. Let 'em go.
They want me to open up and let 'em into 11.
Yes, sir.
Hey, the state police are coming!
Why don't you bring the army too, you bunch of freaks!
Yellow-bellied rat!
Lousy dogs!
Scram, you lousy cops!
Men, this is the warden speaking.
The state police have orders not to shoot if you go back to your blocks.
Go back to your blocks!
I appeal to you for your own sake
get back into your blocks, men.
Get back into your blocks!
Give me the okay, Warden, and we'll break this up.
Take over, Captain.
Lieutenant Wilkinson, proceed with plan B.
Dunn on the phone.
Yes, Dunn?
Warden, I'm giving you fair warning.
If any inmate is killed, one guard for each inmate.
Pick up the man who was shot.
Break 'em up into two groups.
Damage estimated at over a million dollars.
That includes the mess hall, fire in the toolshed.
Once they arrived, it didn't take long.
Nobody killed, quite a few injuries.
State police handled themselves well.
The warden's policy is to avoid bloodshed.
No, it's far from over. Eleven's still holding out.
Now they have nine hostages - five guards from block 5.
No report on any of them. Presume they're still alive.
Haskell seems to be the boss around here.
- Yard's clear, Warden. - Good.
Barrett, 18.
Warden, Bacon's dead.
Let's have the doctor hold his report for 24 hours.
We won't release this to the press, huh?
There's 11 again.
Yeah, what is it?
- I hear Bacon got it. - It was an accident.
Give it to me straight.
He's dead. Gunshot.
Okay, it's like I said
one for one.
Carnie, get one of the screws and bring him here.
- Snader? - Snader.
- It's a pleasure. - Dunn? Listen, Dunn, are you there?
It was an accident.
We didn't kill him. One of the state policemen did.
We're sticking to our end of the bargain.
Yeah, but Bacon's dead, isn't he? Our deal was one for one.
They're going to kill Snader.
Hold it, Dunn. I'm coming right down.
Dunn!
We're ready to listen to the demands.
Okay, Warden, I'm ready.
I want to talk to the whole prison.
First let me see Snader.
Okay.
Have a good look.
We of 11 block
know that we represent
the entire inmate population in these demands.
We are bargaining for all of you.
Here goes.
Eleven block must be remodeled.
Give us room to breathe,
and more light to see with.
The nuts ought to be separated from the rest of us,
and put some place where you can do something for them.
Get rid of the leg locks, chains,
and brutal guards like Snader.
Teach us a trade,
so that when we get out of here
we'll be able to hold down a job.
Are you sure you didn't write these demands yourself?
The whole thing sounds exactly like your yearly complaints.
"Remodel block 11, turn -."
Look, the state commission condemned that block two years ago.
Inmates read too.
And last
no reprisals
against any ringleaders,
or participants of this revolt.
That is all.
Well, you may let them get away with it, Reynolds, but I promise you
I'll have these men brought to trial.
If it weren't for these guards, I wouldn't sign anything, and you know it.
- Warden, what do you think? - Those demands are awfully sharp for a bunch of cons.
These are intelligent men, Dunn in particular.
If he's so smart, what's he doing in here?
He's also a psychopath, like a lot of brilliant men on the outside.
Are you going to recommend acceptance for the governor?
In the main. After all
most of them have been my demands for a long time.
Looks like this time you might get 'em.
I want you to sign, and I want the governor to sign.
I'll sign, but I don't know about the governor.
When will you know?
Give me six hours.
Sure, Warden.
Throw him in one of the cells.
Carnie! Carnie!
Carnie!
No. No.
Dunn! Carnie!
That's enough of that!
This punk tried to take over.
Throw him out.
Gator, get me Barrett on the phone.
Take care of him.
Come on, let's put him in a cell.
He's badly hurt.
- Easy with him, Al. - I've got him.
Oh, leave me alone.
- Far as I can tell, nothing broken. - My neck's stiff.
Lucky that pipe just glanced off your shoulder.
You don't look so hot yourself, Al.
- I figured you on Mickey's side. - You figured wrong.
Yeah, and you figured wrong when you put Carnie in charge.
If you want the job, it's yours.
Then shut up!
- Yes? - We're throwing Mickey - out the front gate.
I'll right. I'll send a stretcher for Mickey. Who's this?
Mike Carnie.
- Where's Dunn? - I'm in charge now.
That was Crazy Mike Carnie. He's taken over.
- They've almost killed one of the inmates. - What happened to Dunn?
- He won't say. - Crazy Mike - who's he?
"Crazy" is the nicest thing you can say about him.
- Dispensary. - Yes, sir?
Send a stretcher to 11 block gate.
What's the matter, Snader?
Don't think I like you, huh?
You're wrong. I'm gonna do you a favor.
Wanna say good-bye to your wife?
I'll let you write her a farewell letter.
No.
All the other screws are writing letters.
How will your old lady feel if she don't get one?
Of course, if you don't wanna
I'll just leave the pencil and paper.
Change your mind, just rap on the door. Schuyler will pick it up.
Wait till the wives get those letters and start to phone the warden.
You'll see some action.
What a lot of tripe.
"Good-bye forever."
Get me the operator.
This is Carnie. I want to talk to Mrs. Monroe.
The operator says Carnie's calling Mrs. Monroe.
Tell 'em to put the call through. I'll monitor it here.
Put the call through. We'll cut in.
- Find out what this guy's up to. - Yes?
- Mrs. Monroe, this is inmate Carnie. - Mike Carnie?
I got a farewell letter here from your husband.
No! No, he's not dead!
Not yet.
"Dearest Sue
I feel responsible for everything."
Get me the governor.
Operator, get the governor. Urgent.
"They tell me I gotta say good-bye to you and the children.
I don't know how, because I can't believe it."
Convinced?
- Just a moment, sir. Ready. - Governor, have you signed yet?
No, I haven't.
These men's lives really depend on it.
We can't trust Carnie.
Governor, if you're going to sign at all, will you please do it right away?
I must consider very carefully.
If I sign, it'll be an open invitation to the inmates of every prison in this state
to grab guards and dictate their own terms.
Governor
I don't want you to take the responsibility for the murder of nine men.
Every minute counts.
He hasn't signed?
Not yet.
What happens if we break into 11 block?
That block is as hard to break into as it is to break out of. Harder.
Some of my men will be killed.
Well, suppose we blast a hole in the block, only inmates get killed?
The casualties will be high.
- Including the guards on the inside. - Maybe.
Haskell, the moment you give the order
to blow up that block, you're in complete charge.
I'll have to take that risk. All right, Captain, let's get started.
Hold your head up a little.
Colonel, do you think us guards should be killed?
- We haven't done anything. - Hold quiet.
I never treated the men bad.
No, you just lock up the cages,
and help throw the food to the wild animals.
I never hit nobody. Didn't play no favorites.
Yeah, you treat us all the same
like a bunch of cons.
Each man in here feels different inside.
We all fight for our identity. And you help destroy that.
That's the prison. I'm just a guard here.
Yeah, I know.
That's what we got against you.
Schuyler.
Get me Snader. We'll start with him.
- I thought I told you - - Take off.
And keep your eyes open.
I don't think we should kill 'em.
I don't think God would approve.
How's Al, Tony?
Feeling better.
Talk to him. See if he and his friends will stand up against Carnie.
- I don't want trouble. - You can't have it both ways.
If you don't want the guards killed, you have to put up a fight.
Go on.
Hand him over, Schuyler!
What do you guys think you're doing?
I'm willing to let you run this riot, Carnie,
- but you can't kill Snader. - Gator, boys, come on!
Now, wait a minute!
Let's let Dunn decide this!
All right. Get him.
What's the matter?
You guys goin' chicken?
- I want to see Dunn. - Carnie said no.
I said I wanted to see Dunn!
Dunn. Dunn!
- Hey, take it easy. - Carnie's gonna kill Snader!
- What for? What happened? - Nothing. He's crazy.
If you don't stop it, we'll all end up in a bucket.
I told him no cutting!
All right, break it up. Break it up.
- Break it up. All right - - Hold up.
Break it up, now. Break it up.
All right, break it up. Break it up, now.
They're gonna blow up the block!
What?
I been standing guard, and I seen these cops coming across the yard.
- They're not planting flowers. - Where?
- By the end of the block. - Lock Snader in a cell.
All right, dummy up. Dummy up.
It's a double-cross.
They're gonna blow a hole in the block.
Carnie, get the screws. We'll tie 'em up here.
Right. Gator, you three, come on.
Will you wait for the governor to sign?
And if he won't sign? We've tried your way. It's no good.
It started with four hostages, now nine. Tomorrow it may be 20.
You've never tried it my way.
The legislature's never given me the money I need.
If they had, maybe I wouldn't have a riot on my hands.
I disagree. I think this riot is a direct result
of your policy of compromise with the convicts.
That's why I'm against signing. I'd never sign.
Your way would only make this place harder to handle.
You'd have thousands of angry, desperate men,
and they'd take it out on the public when they're released.
They may be angry, but they'll be scared too.
They'll know we mean business.
They'll think twice before they riot again.
No.
You'll never stop riots by treating the prisoners worse.
You stop them by treating them better?
Line up! Line up!
Get back in your cells!
Get back in your cell.
- Popped his buttons. - Yeah.
- I'm calling the warden to tell him we're giving up! - I'm running this show, Colonel.
They blow this cell block, they'll not only kill the guards, but we'll go with them!
- All right, cut it out. - Put that bum in there.
That's what anybody else gets who tries to sell us out.
- You all set? - Say the word.
- This is Dunn. What's up? - The warden's on his way down to the yard.
Yeah, but what about the dynamite?
Nothing's going to happen if you release the guards and come out.
The governor signed the demands.
Hey, the warden's in the yard.
They say the governor signed the demands.
- It's a trick, Dunn. - Well, I'm gonna find out.
I've signed it. So has the governor.
You wouldn't be playing tricks, Warden?
Like maybe planting a little dynamite?
- All the reporters here? - Yes.
Okay, let's give them their headlines.
All right, Dunn. Start filing out, one by one.
After I see the morning papers.
They'll be here at 7:30.
Fine.
We did it!
All right. Let the guards out first.
I gather from what you say you feel you've won a victory.
- That's right. - Congratulations are in order.
I'll say they are.
Tom! Tom!
I never thought I'd see you again!
Hey, Colonel!
Yeah, Dunn?
I can't understand why we haven't heard anything. What do you think they're doing?
- Well, it's only two weeks. - Yeah, but nothing's happened.
They're in no rush.
Sure, you forced them, but they don't like it.
They signed. It's still in the papers.
What's in the papers? That you led a riot?
That you beat up the guards? That you destroyed property?
Yeah, and the headlines say I won!
Yeah. Well, don't expect any medals.
All right, Dunn, the warden wants to see you.
It's about time!
I hear the warden's got the blueprints for the new 11 block.
Here he is now.
Wait outside.
What's it all about, Warden?
Dunn, you're going to stand trial
on charges of leading a riot and kidnapping guards.
But I don't get it.
No reprisals - the agreement.
There is no agreement.
State legislature repudiated the governor's signature and mine.
- They what? - Canceled it out.
Said we had no right to make an agreement with convicts.
But Warden, you signed it. You gave us your word.
I don't like it, Dunn,
but that's what happened.
What'll I get?
If you're found guilty, probably 30 years.
Thirty years? And for what?
For nothing!
What'll Carnie get, and the colonel?
Carnie is being sent to the state mental institution
where he should have been a long time ago.
I'm signing the colonel's parole.
And I get 30 years.
Warden, you know I didn't do it to bust over the walls.
I did it just so people would know what it's like in here. But 30 years?
I was never able to transfer Carnie before.
The colonel may not have gotten his parole, even though he deserved it.
Try to realize, Dunn
that good does sometimes come out of evil.
That's awful little good for 30 years.
Well, the public has learned more
about the inside of a prison in the last few weeks
than they did in my 15 years of making speeches.
Why do you think that is?
Because we got in the papers.
And you're still news
with or without an agreement.
Haskell wants me to resign.
There's gonna be an investigation.
But this time, the public will listen to my side of it.
And they're your only hope.
They're the only ones who can help.
I sure hope so.
I've been in and out of these joints all my life.
And who cares? That ain't right, Warden.
In other states after their riots, changes were made.
The inmates won.