HIGH DESERT BLOOD The 1980 New Mexico Prison Riot and the Tragedy of the Williams Brothers

Michael Puttonen narrates this nonfiction work on the 1980 prison riot at the Penitentiary of New Mexico. The story recounts the prison's history and describes its bleak location, as well as the longstanding apathy and abuse that led to the bloody skirmish that killed both inmates and guards. The story focuses on two brothers: Gary, a nonviolent first offender who was imprisoned the day before the riot, and Jeff, a violent career criminal who had been imprisoned for awhile and who disappeared during the riots. Puttonen's slow delivery and gravelly timbre are perfect for this story's dark atmosphere. For greater realism, he liberally adds scoffing and dry laughter to the dialogue. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]