1933 Riots

     The year of 1933 at Eastern State saw the occurrence of many riots and forms of disorder. In these riots, food played a very important role not just as a cause for the riots, but as a source of protest as well. In an article published in May 1934, after the riots ended, the subheadings state that the Recreation Association learned that prisoners, after hearing about angel food cake on the radio, began to howl for food. When the demands were not met, the inmates began to riot. According to the article (see image below), the riots from September, October and November 1933, (see images below), were caused by inmates wanting angel food cake. At first glance, rioting over angel food cake seems to be a petty excuse to cause a great disturbance. With a closer look, however, into the perspective of the inmates, a greater understanding can be reached into the riot itself. Keeping in mind the forms of symbolism of prison food discussed earlier, the main driving force may not be the angel food cake itself, but the message behind it, the inability to choose what to eat, when you want it, where you want it. Because of the reinforced notion of powerlessness, elements of the spontaneity and rising expectations models of prison riots arise in which the desire for cake fueled the desire to meet expectations with reality, and thus, riot. This interpretation is not meant to argue the validity of the riot itself, but explain a possible cause of the riot. As a result of the riot over the cake, from September- November, 1933, Eastern State was engulfed in a variety of different conflicts. For the purposes of this blog, the hunger strike during this time will be examined in particular.

     During the hunger strike from September- October, 1933, Eastern State had to put up with increasing demands from the inmates (see image below). The prisoner demands from the hunger strike included: a radio in every cell, daily delivery of newspapers to each cell, 40-hour NRA Blue Eagle work week, release of prisoners in solitary confinement from Tuesday night's rioting, and the discharge of several guards charged by the convicts with cruelty. After skipping breakfast, the members of the hunger strike eventually had lunch and dinner and gave up on the strike.

     In the year 1933, Eastern State was shaken by a number of different riots, in which food played a very important role. Not only did food serve as the catalyst for the difficult months in September, October, and November, but showed its ability to affect multiple stages in the riot. During the progression of a riot, food is the object of demand in some riots, such as 1919, and in others it is the means to strive for demands, such as the hunger strike of 1933. As a result of the riots from September-November, another grand jury report was made into the conditions at Eastern State (see image below). In the report, the mess system is mentioned as one of numerous causes of the riots. It was described as poorly equipped and in need of new ventilation and light.

      After the grand jury report, Eastern State continued to experience numerous problems and criticisms heading into the 1940s. Some of the points of criticism of the penitentiary included: cell darkness (1934) and a foiled jailbreak attempt (1938). Although there was noticeable decline of Eastern State in the 1950s, the events in the decades before show that Eastern State was steadily declining. This continue to be the case in the 1940s as well.