Publisher's Synopsis
In February, 1972, Roy J. Caldwood was a prisoner at the Rikers Island Adolescent Remand Shelter, but he wasn't a criminal. Instead, the assistant deputy warden was a hostage during one of Rikers Island's infamous riots.
It wasn't the first time Caldwood faced a riot. In his twenty-one year career with New York City's 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 survived-even thrived-in his dangerous job by learning from his mistakes and moving on, while giving and getting respect from both inmates and prison personnel. He didn't always make the right moves, but he tried. And in doing so, he navigated one of the most dangerous prisons in America.
