Deadliest Prison Riots in U.S. History: New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot

Background

• Date: February 2, 1980
• Site: Old State Penitentiary, New Mexico
• Key Figure: Gary Nelson, a convicted bank robber
  • Escaped from another state prison
  • Recaptured and held in Cell Block Two at the New Mexico Penitentiary

Causes of the Riot

• Early hours of February 2
• Inmates were intoxicated on homemade alcohol
• One inmate suggested overthrowing the prison guards during the morning count

Initial Reaction

• Gary Nelson was skeptical
• He was awaiting transfer to another prison, not sentenced to serve time here
• Described the situation as surreal but tried to remain calm

Riot Unfolds

• Action 7 News covered the 36-hour ordeal from the outside
• Inside, inmates took 12 officers hostage
• Officer Bustos was dragged and mistreated
• Total of 33 inmates murdered, mostly "snitches" in Cell Block Four
• Random and brutal violence; inmates stabbed people and dead bodies

Escalation of Fear

• Fear heightened when inmates anticipated a storming by police and National Guard
• Nelson describes a sense of dread but couldn't bring himself to surrender
• Eventually, surviving inmates, including Nelson, surrendered

Aftermath and Reflection

• Nelson emphasizes the importance of sharing survivor stories
  • Believes sharing prevents repeating past mistakes
• Tours of the old penitentiary now include survivor stories through videos

Gary Nelson's Later Life

• After serving his time, Nelson became a criminal defense attorney
• He is now retired