How Lucasville prison riot began

Twenty-five years ago, Ohio prison inmates killed nine of their own and one corrections officer during an 11-day riot at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio. About 450 prisoners took part in the riot that started on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1993. Lucasville was the state’s only maximum-security prison and housed the most dangerous offenders, many of whom had psychological disorders. The riot ringleaders were identified as members of various gangs, including Black Muslims and Aryan Brotherhood. On the first day, rioters took over Cellblock L and brutally beat five inmates to death and tossed their bodies in the exercise yard. The victims were considered snitches. Four others were killed over the next few days. One was strangled by cords, after paper and plastic were shoved in his mouth. Rioters also took eight prison guards hostage. When they didn’t think prison officials were taking their demands seriously, they strangled guard Robert Vallandingham on the fifth day.