The Devil's Butcher Shop: The New Mexico Prison Uprising [Paperback]

Roger Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1988

“A modern horror story told in graphic detail. Morris’s meticulous documentation traces prison corruption . . . proving the tragedy could have been avoided. I recommend this book without reservation.”—Jack Anderson

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"A modern horror story told in graphic detail. Morris's meticulous documentation traces prison corruption . . . proving the tragedy could have been avoided. I recommend this book without reservation."--Jack Anderson

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press (1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826310621
• ISBN-13: 978-0826310620
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on the New Mexico Prison riot of 1980, February 24, 2000

By 

max schon (albuquerque, new mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Devil's Butcher Shop: The New Mexico Prison Uprising (Paperback)

This book is an excellent description of the worst prison riot in U.S. penal history. Morris provides insightful and needed history leading up to the 1980 riot (something other reviewers oddly thought wasn't necessary). Contrary to the other reviewer's opinion, Morris' book doesn't read like a bunch of newspaper clippings, but like a montage of voices that bring to light the complexity of the riot and new mexico politics. This book is in no way misdirected like another reviewer thinks, but instead it provides an accurate picture of the nepotism and corruption pervasive not only in the New Mexico penal system but throughout the state (general political corruption and neglect DID lead to the riot). As for the writing, it is clear, well-researched, and definitely not boring. If you're only interested in the bloody details of the riot (as the reviewer from Telford, Penn. seems to be), then only read chapter 3: Carnage. But if you want a clear picture of the riot itself and the specific circumstances that made the riot possible (both within the prison and within New Mexico politics at large), then the Devil's Butcher Shop is the only choice.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Used To Be An Officer In This Facility, June 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Devil's Butcher Shop: The New Mexico Prison Uprising (Paperback)

Great book for those interested in such things. I was a corrections officer in this facility years after the riot. But knew officers and inmates who were present during that incident. The book follows the event very accurately. Good read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow, March 12, 2007

By 

Shane Phillips "Shanno" (Sydney, AUST) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Devil's Butcher Shop: The New Mexico Prison Uprising (Paperback)

I read this from start to finish without stopping. One could hardly imagine the pent up rage that could have fueled such a disturbing massacre. The book follows the riot from the months leading up to, during and right through to the political fallout and the resulting ramifications it had on the American prison system. The author suceeds in sticking to the fact, and, when facts are missing, fills in the blanks with speculation derived from the surrounding circumstances. a great read.