Riot of 1952

For decades, mostly throughout the 1940s and 1950s prisons became overcrowded and little to no funds was given to the prisons to care for the prisoners. Soon this over crowding and lack of needed funds resulted in prison riots. October 31, 1952, the notorious “Halloween Riot” broke out at the Ohio Penitentiary due to the dislike and unhappiness of the food.

The uprising all started about 5:00pm when prisoners in one cafeteria began banging their cups with spoons which meant they wanted more coffee. The warden, R.W. Alvis at the time, managed to gain control of the disturbance, but could not manage to settle another rebellion happening in the next cafeteria. The quarrel in the other cafeteria consisted of prisoners were throwing food, trays, and utensils. However, not all inmates took part in the riot; some took it upon themselves to return to their cells. The rioting did not just occur in the cafeteria, prisoners began to assault each other, broke into the infirmary to steal drugs, as well as setting buildings on fire.

A force combined of Ohio Highway Patrol, Columbus Police, National Guard and prison guards manage to force most of the prisoners back into their cells around 10:00pm. Still, cell blocks G, H, I, and K were still under the control of the inmates. On November 3, three days after the initiation of the riot, police cut off food supply and heat to the prison. This led to prisoners hurling objects out the windows towards officials. Officials ordered them to stop but when inmates refused and continued, police opened fire killing one prisoner and wounding four others.

The riot lasted four days and claimed one inmate, however this would not be the last.

Reference
Ohio Historical Society. "Ohio Penitentiary Riot (1952)." 2010: n. pag. Web. 5 May 2010. http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2096&nm=Ohio-Penitentiary-Riot-1952.