The Attica Prison Uprising in 1971 was a significant event in the history of American prisons, sparked by inmates protesting poor living conditions and lack of basic rights. The uprising escalated into a hostage situation, and the violent suppression by authorities resulted in the deaths of 43 individuals. This tragic event ignited a national debate on prison reform and highlighted the broader civil rights issues facing marginalized communities in the United States.

The uprising inspired prison writing workshops and poetry collections, influencing Black Arts Movement poets and contemporary voices like Reginald Dwayne Betts. It highlighted systemic racism in mass incarceration narratives.