Encore | Witness to History | Attica: Beyond the Riot, Part 1 Artwork

Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Over a decade of planning and persistence in the making, the National Law Enforcement Museum has opened its doors to the public. Finally, citizens and law enforcement professionals from diverse perspectives and backgrounds will have a place to share in the vibrant story of American law enforcement. Within the walls of the Museum’s strikingly contemporary exterior, artifacts from our collection of more than 25,000 objects tell the story of American law enforcement – past, present, and future – and engage visitors of all ages in memorable, immersive and experiential exhibits. More importantly, we’re proud that the Museum will serve as a platform for constructive dialogue to help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We invite all listeners to follow us and submit questions for upcoming episodes!

For questions or inquiries about the show: Precinct444@nleomf.org

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Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Encore | Witness to History | Attica: Beyond the Riot, Part 1

March 05, 2025 • Season 10 • Episode 5

The Encore series of the Precinct 444 Podcast is an engaging look back at past Museum programs to find insight into historical and contemporary matters facing law enforcement.

In this episode, a revisit of a 2011 Witness to History program, discuss the violent events at Attica Correctional Facility. Scholars and participants are still unravelling the fallout and meaning of the 1971 Attica prison riot.

This program has been split into two parts. Part 1 details the growing concerns of prisons across the United States leading up to the Attica Prison Riot, including detailed, first-hand accounts of the early moments by Attica corrections officers, Michael Smith and Donald Almeter. Part 2 continues the experiences of those corrections officers and additional comments from historian and author, Heather Ann Thompson.

Part 2 also includes an audio recording between then Governor Nelson Rockefeller and former President Richard Nixon.

Featuring:

Frank Bond, Former anchor at WUSA-TV in Washington, DC
Donald Almeter, corrections officer at Attica Prison
Michael Smith, corrections officer at Attica Prison
Heather Ann Thompson, professor of African-American Studies and History at Temple University, author of Blood In The Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/