Emotional pleas for help. A terrifying standoff. And a deadly ending.
In the summer of 1974, while the nation focused on Watergate, a crisis was unfolding inside the Huntsville Unit, known as “The Walls.” Three armed inmates took over the prison’s education building, holding more than a dozen teachers and staff hostage for 11 days. When it was over, not everyone walked out.
“It was totally shocking cause I’m like why would they, you know, that’s exactly what was shocking. They would take the teachers,” said Ray Branch, whose father was inside…