Earl Ward heads group of inmates at Michigan State Prison who hold cellblock 15 under their control in 1952

The transcript describes a tense situation in Cellblock 15, where dangerous prisoners, including Earl Ward and Jack Hyatt, have taken 12 hostages. They have issued a list of demands to reporters through a barred window, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

What was the condition of Cellblock 15 during the incident?

How did reporters communicate with the prisoners?