10 die as convicts seize control

Press, 4 February 1980, Page 1

10 die as convicts seize control

NZPA Santa Fe, New Mexico Rioting prisoners have seized the New Mexico state penitentiary and threatened to kill 11 guards being held hostage. Authorities fear 10 or more inmates may have been killed in the uprising, which broke out yesterday. Two-way radio conversations monitored by reporters between inmates, and information gathered by a television reporter allowed inside the prison gate, indicated that as

many as 20 inmates might be dead.

Hospital officials in Santa Fe said two guards and four inmates have been admitted and 26 inmates were treated for injuries, then remanded to police custody. State officials reported some progress in the stalemate., late on Saturday, saying another 125 prisoners had surrendered, bringing the total to about 300.

Authorities reported some progress in negoti-

ations with the representatives of those holding out.

More than 300 inmates had surrendered to authorities at the penitentiary, the warden, Mr J. Griffin, said.

John Andrews of Albuquerque’s KGGM-TV, who was allowed inside the prison gates but not into the cellblocks, said more prisoners had given up since Mr Griffin’s statement.

Radio conversations between inmates inside the

prison indicated violence was more extensive than reported by officials. “There’s a whole lot of dead in A-l block — about 15,” one inmate said. Another inmate said: “Attention, attention all units. You all stop killing each other. There’s blood all over this goddam corridor. Be cool. No more killing. No more hurting.” Andrews said that from what he had heard while inside the prison the death toll was about 15, and possibly as high as 20. Mr Griffin said 11 points

were negotiated with the prisoners but he would not elaborate. “I will not answer any questions at this time so as not to jeopardise the negotiations,” he said. The State Governor, Mr Bruce King, who earlier talked with leaders of the prison revolt by telephone, said reports that 10 or more inmates had been killed came from some of the first 175 prisoners, who were released from the compound and taken to a detention centre behind the prison. Of those reported dead,

Mr King said, “I’m fairly certain some of those, I’m sure, were murdered.” The state police chief, Mr M. Vigil, agreed. There was speculation among inmates who were treated at a Santa Fe hospital and officials, that violence inside the prison might be directed at inmates who had co-operated in the past with prison officials.

Mr King said he was reasonably sure the inmates who led the uprising had gone through the prison’s intelligence files.