Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Atlanta, Georgia: Ed Rabel) Scenes shown of new fires being set by rioting Cuban prisoners in Atlanta federal penitentiary Hostage number given. Prison employee shown released because he suffered from high blood pressure. Injured inmates shown released. [Warden Joseph PETROVSKY - discusses hostages and negotiations.] Warden's comments quoted regarding Cuban factions and their various demands. [PETROVSKY - says leadership is difficult to establish inside with different groups holding hostages.] Inmates shown who weren't involved in insurrection; details given. [Representative Patrick SWINDALL - says Cubans need to be deported.] Refugee convicts' comments quoted regarding returning to Cuba. Prison guard's comments quoted. [Representative John LEWIS - says there could have been a lockdown.] Justice Department document shown and quoted regarding predictions made of Cuban situation. [PETROVSKY - discusses Cuban dilemma.] Scenes shown of some prisoners surrendering.

(Oakdale, LA: Kenley Jones) Scenes shown of riot police outside Oakdale Detention Center in LA. Police reported called when Cuban prisoners got too close to negotiation location. [Warden J.R. JOHNSON - says there is minimum of violence.] Negotiators mentioned bargaining for release of hostages. Law enforcement number on scene cited; scenes shown of guards ready to enter prison. Inmates shown with weapons. Inmates' threat quoted regarding certain death of hostages if police enter. Inmates' families shown waiting for news from pen. [Inmate's WIFE - says Cubans want freedom and do not want to hurt anyone.] Prison authorities reported not responding to women's pleas to give prisoners amnesty.

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(DC: Carl Stern) Scenes shown of inmates' families arriving in Washington, DC to plead for Cuban relatives. Women's comments quoted after meeting with Justice Department officials. [Inmate's wife Aida BETANCOURT - (thru translator) says some families will be reunited.] [Inmate's wife Elida DOMINGUEZ - says there are no guarantees.] [Assoc. attorney general Stephen TROTT - iterates what transpired during meeting with inmates' wives.] 1980 Mariel boatlift reviewed; details given, scenes shown. Lawyers' comments quoted regarding panic and desperation of imprisoned Cuban detainees. [Lawyers Committee for Human Rights Arthur HELTON - explains how Cuban detainees viewed the immigration agreement with Cuba.] [ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) Wade HENDERSON - comments on Cuban detainees' situation.] Relative's reported sending videotape to inmates urging an end of riots.