Four decades after Attica uprising, promise of prison reform unmet

Forty years ago today state troopers and police launched tear gas and opened fire on prisoners at the Attica State Prison in upstate New York. The prisoners had taken control of the facility on September 9, demanding basic reforms such as adequate food, shelter and medical attention. Four days later, the assault began. After the smoke cleared, New York law enforcement had killed 29 inmates and 10 hostages, Inmates had killed one guard - bringing the death toll to 40.

For a discussion on the state of US prisons four decades after Attica, we’re joined by John Boston. He's director of The Legal Aid Society's Prisoners' Rights Project in New York.