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In February, 1972, Roy J. Caldwood was a prisoner at the Rikers Island Adolescent Remand Shelter, but he wasnt a criminal. Instead, the assistant deputy warden was a hostage during one of Rikers Islands infamous riots.
It wasnt the first time Caldwood faced a riot. In his twenty-one year career with New York Citys Department of Correction he helped prevent stabbings from escalating, negotiated with rioting inmates, and foiled an escape attempt from maximum security. He helped prisoners air legitimate grievances, successfully oversaw the Black Panther inmate population, and arranged for major entertainers to visit and perform for inmates.
Caldwood survivedeven thrivedin his dangerous job by learning from his mistakes and moving on, while giving and getting respect from both inmates and prison personnel. He didnt always make the right moves, but he tried. And in doing so, he navigated one of the most dangerous prisons in America.
