Long Binh Jail - 1968 Riot

1968 Riot

On the night of August 29, 1968, a group of black inmates approached the administration building at 11:45 p.m. and attacked the guards. From there, chaos erupted and other inmates joined the riot. These inmates began to set buildings on fire, burning the mess hall, barber shop, latrine, administration and finance buildings. About 200 inmates were involved in destroying the camp. The rioters beat white inmates and attacked guards. Despite the violence, only four inmates escaped the facility and one fatality was reported. The next day the 720th Military Police force responded. The force surrounded the camp and set up a perimeter at the gate. The riot finally ended on September 7, leaving 52 inmates and 63 MPs injured. The prisoners were moved to an area outside of LBJ which was surrounded by barbed wire. The members of the 720th MP Bn communication shops were sent in to rewire the prison. The riot led to the death of Private Edward Haskett of St. Petersburg, Florida, who was beaten to death with a shovel.