I live literally 8 miles from the New Mexico State Penitentiary, and I have for over 15 years. I can honestly tell you that, ever since reading this book, I cannot drive past it (which I do twice a day, 5 to 6 days a week) without thinking of this book. The horrors I read about in this book regarding the New Mexico Prison Riot have forever tainted my usually relaxing drive down NM HWY 14. I will never again be able to look out my vehicle window at those buildings without getting a chill.

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The cover has changed, by the way and is actually visually pleasing, not something you should get used to with this book, except where it talks of the dances held at each of the prisons prior to filling the prison with inmates.

The book is very well written, it very accurately describes what happened there, but it's awful because of what happened. I know it's supposed to make you think that the state of the prison and the corruption caused those men to do the most inexcusable things, but that's exactly what that level of barbarism is to me. Inexcusable. One prison official called them animals but I ask you, what animal can you think of that would do such senseless things that are gruesome far beyond any normal experience?

I don't know what excuses they think will cover that, but once you read this book, you might agree that for the prisoners who committed the butchery, rancid turkey on thanksgiving is not an excuse and far too good for them!

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