Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Atlanta, Georgia: Ed Rabel) Scenes shown of more Cuban prisoners surrendering after rioting in Atlanta federal penitentiary; details given. Inmates families shown outside prison. [Surrendered inmate's wife Maria SILVA - says she saw her husband and he looked alright.] Pentagon reported sending special mil. personnel to prison; details given, scenes shown. Hostage radio message quoted on screen as scenes shown of special military police entering prison. [Federal Bureau of Prisons Michael QUINLAN - says no invasive action will be taken against inmates unless hostages are harmed.] Hostage total reported Inmates noted storming prison hospital and taking more hostages. Seizure of guard noted. Inmates comments quoted regarding their willingness to die in US rather than go back to Cuba. [Cuban diplomacy Ramon SANCHEZ-PARODI - says no harm would come to those deported to Cuba.] Cuban inmates' demands announced. Negotiations reported continuing.

(Oakdale, LA: Kenley Jones) Scenes shown of Louisiana Oakdale Detention Center and hostage number cited. Warden J.R. Johnson's comments quoted. [JOHNSON - says they are still negotiating so he remains optimistic.] Senator John Breaux's comments quoted. [BREAUX - says to send prisoners to Oakdale Detention Center was mistake and the State Department should not have announced the immigration agreement like it did.] Inmates' indications that deportation to another country would be acceptable mentioned. No other country reported desiring inmates.

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Atlanta, Georgia: Steve Delaney) Authorities' options in prison riot situations discussed. 1971 Attica, New York, prison riot reviewed; details given, scenes shown. [Investigating commission Robert McKAY - says Attica takeover was not well-planned.] 1980 New Mexico riot discussed; details given, scenes shown. 1983 Ossining, New York, prison negotiations reviewed; details given, scenes shown. Stmts. from released hostages reported effective. [Released Atlanta, Georgia, HOSTAGE - says wasn't harmed.] United States and Cuba reported maintaining there would be no reprisals; inmates noted not believing promises. Negotiations reported continuing.