Inmates protesting the use of excessive force seized Deputy Warden Ralph Tahash and twelve guards and held them hostage.

[12] This second riot led to the construction in 1956 of a new facility about 11 miles south of the original prison, in open country along State Road 14, which came to be called "the main unit."

Baker used Federal funds from President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty to address prison reform.

It was called Project Newgate and the money was used to support programs such as prisoner education, job training, and community service.

[13] In 1980, Cell Block 4, at the far northern end from the Control Center, was the scene of the most violent prison riot in the correctional history of the United States.

[citation needed] Over two days 33 inmates were killed and 12 officers were held hostage by prisoners who had escaped from crowded dormitories located at the southern end from the Control Center.