Skip to content

NM PRISON RIOT Ep. 4 | “All the Forces of Hell”

Infamous America

35m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode covers the harrowing events of the New Mexico State Penitentiary riot on February 2, 1980, specifically focusing on the violence in Cell Block 4 and the agonizing standoff that followed. Host Chris Wimmer details how rioters captured the prison within 22 minutes and later used blowtorches to breach Cell Block 4, targeting protective custody inmates and suspected informants in a brutal execution spree. Meanwhile, state police, SWAT teams, and the National Guard remained outside, immobilized by the complex chaos, missing security keys, and constant threats to the surviving hostages. The episode explores the grim realities of the standoff through eyewitness accounts, survivor testimonies, and the perspectives of prison officials and inmates.

  • Prison officials were unable to access Cell Block 4 because emergency keys were incomplete and missing the crucial security gate key. 5:05
  • Rioters used blowtorches starting at 5:00 in the morning to cut through the security gate into Cell Block 4. 6:08
  • The vast majority of the 1,157 inmates at the facility did not want to participate in the riot. 21:02
  • Prison officials ultimately postponed an armed assault on the facility until the following morning to secure hostage releases and reduce variables. 20:54

Chapters

  1. 0:00
  2. 1:17
    Riot Begins in Cell Block 4

    Inmates hear the uprising and the riot spreads rapidly across the prison.

  3. 6:34
    Episode Intro and Host Overview

    The host introduces the season and sets the stage for the 1980 New Mexico prison riot.

  4. 9:08
    Violent Escalation in Cell Block 4

    Rioters execute inmates with blowtorches, knives, and other brutal methods.

  5. 18:54
    Hostage Situation and Negotiations

    Guards are taken hostage, negotiations begin, and media demands are made.

  6. 20:40
    Failed Assault Plans and Tactical Delays

    Planned armed assaults are postponed due to hostage risks and chaotic conditions.

  7. 24:12
    Nighttime Standoff and Media Access

    Rioters demand media coverage, negotiate hostage releases, and allow a cameraman inside the prison.

  8. 33:41
    Conclusion and Episode Teaser

    The episode ends with a preview of the next episode’s renewed negotiations and planned armed takeover.

Highlights

  • 1:17

    Rapid Takeover of the Prisondata

    Inmates took control of the entire facility in just 22 minutes, capturing 11 of the 16 guards on duty.

  • 2:04

    Targeting the Segregation Unitstory

    Rioters used captured keys to open Cell Block 3, freeing maximum-security prisoners known as the worst of the worst.

  • 4:23

    Missing Security Gate Keysinsight

    Rescue was hindered because Guard Tower Number 1 did not have a complete set of keys to open the inner security gate of Cell Block 4.

  • 4:40

    Helpless Police Observationstory

    State police officers watched from outside the perimeter fence through binoculars, unable to intervene or save the inmates trapped inside Cell Block 4.

  • 7:00

    Breaching with Blowtorchesstrategy

    With the security gate jammed, rioters brought in three blowtorches at around 5:00 AM to cut their way into Cell Block 4.

  • 10:44

    Brutal Violence and Murdersstory

    Execution squads tortured and killed inmates in Cell Block 4, mutilating victims and using blowtorches and fire.

  • 21:12

    Mass Inmate Escapesdata

    Roughly 100 inmates escaped through broken windows and cut doors over two hours, heading to a National Guard triage tent.

Quotes

  • “The riot had started 35 minutes earlier at the far end of the prison, in Dormitory E2 in South Wing, and it had spread with frightening speed.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:26
  • “In just 22 minutes, the rioters had effectively taken control of the entire prison.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:36
  • “The rioters had three blowtorches, and they started cutting through the security gate to Cell Block 4 at around 5:00 in the morning.”
    Unnamed speaker · 6:08
  • Apple Sports 0:00–0:23
  • Rocket Mortgage 0:32–0:53

About this episode

WARNING: LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. Rioters use three acetylene cutting torches to break into Cellblock 4, the unit which houses inmates who are considered snitches. A group of 10 to 20 of the most savage rioters systematically torture and murder inmates who were trapped in their cells in Cellblock 4. The killers will later be known as “death squads.” Elsewhere at Penitentiary New Mexico, the violence and destruction reaches its peak, even as some rioters negotiate with prison officials and release hostages. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Use this link for Free Shipping and 365-day returns: Quince.com/infamousamerica Join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: blackbarrel.supportingcast.fm/join Apple users join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes, bingeable seasons and bonus episodes. Click the Black Barrel+ banner on Apple to get started with a 3-day free trial. On YouTube, subscribe to INFAMOUS+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: hit “Join” on the Legends YouTube homepage. For more details, please visit www.blackbarrelmedia.com or @blackbarrelmedia on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
35:06

5,851 words · 7 speakers

Topics

  • Cell Block 4
  • Cell Block 3
  • National Guard
  • Time
  • NBC
  • Dormitory D
  • Santa Fe City Police SWAT
  • Associated Press
  • United Press International
  • Newsweek

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated