1.
SVs & MVs Prisoners walk out of gate from yard as national guardsmen look on (6 shots)
0.27

2.
CU Security forces with rifles watch prisoners (3 shots)
0.43

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GVs Devastated prison buildings (3 shots)
0.51

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SV ZOOM OUT TO GO Security guards watching as prisoners walk past
1.00



Initials BB/2215 CG/DW/BB/2223


TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: After eight days on the rampage, more than 600 convicts at the Oklamons State Penitentiary were herded back into their cells at gun and bayonet point by national guardsmen and police on Saturday (4 August), ending what is being described as the most destructive prison riot in U.S. history.

At least four inmates died during the disturbance, apparently all at the handle of other prisoners. And damage to the prison is estimated at more than 20 million U.S. dollars (eight million pounds sterling).

The riot started on July 27 over demands for better prison conditions. The inmates grabbed 23 guards and other prison employees as hostages -- but released them all unharmed shortly afterwards.

SYNOPSIS: Weary, hot and hungry after eight days on the rampage, six-hundred inmates of Oklahoma State Penitentiary returned to their cells on Saturday under the watchful eye of armed national guardsmen. Their uprising, which caused twenty-million dollars worth of damage ... mainly through fires ... is being called the most destructive prison riot in U.S. history.

Cause of the riot had been complaints by the prisoners about overcrowding, and bad conditions generally. They grabbed twenty-three guards and other penitentiary employees as hostages ... but released them unharmed shortly afterwards. By the time the disturbances had ended, four prisoners had died ... reportedly at the hands of fellow inmates. Now that peace is restored to the prison, authorities have promised to study the convicts' demands for better conditions.