The door to the dormitory wasnt locked after the guards entered the room to complete their rounds. (It does contain some graphic descriptions of the violence.). Once opened, victims were stabbed, tortured, bludgeoned, burned, hanged, and hacked apart.. This prison holds inmates in solitary confinement, which, according to a report by the New Mexico Law and Policy Centre and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU), typically involves locking an inmate alone in a cell no bigger than the size of an ordinary parking space for 23 hours a day, under conditions of extreme social isolation and forced idleness and deprivation of virtually all meaningful environmental stimulation, including restrictions on property, severe limitations on visitations, and a total ban on group activities. State Prison. They tortured, abused, and murdered many of the men in the protective custody unit. The tour has the effect of placing the riot firmly in the past, reduced to a cautionary tale, a glimpse into a more brutal and antiquated period in US penal history, something learned from and corrected. Ghandnoosh, a research analyst for the Sentencing Project, a nonprofit organisation working for prison and criminal justice reform, spoke about the connection between this mass incarceration and segregation, saying that there was a willingness from the public to use punishment instead of rehabilitation as the way we deal with crime. Black inmates led the escape from the smoldering building, staying in groups large enough to defend themselves from other inmates. Not only was the prison overpopulated, but it was severely understaffed. Almost two decades after the deadly prison riots, could old souls still be doing time? [1] " Old Main" was closed up after the prison riot of 1980. Al was a lot of fun to talk with and listen to. I was locked up all day and all night [for] 23 hours, says Samuel Chavez, who arrived at Old Main in 1988 eight years after the riot on charges of second-degree murder. Tours are conducted for part of the year. The New Mexico Department of Corrections said this week the state is selling tickets for "Old Main" prison tours that begin in May. Slater adds that often, the anxiety is severe enough to be crippling and predisposes prisoners to brief psychotic reactions, suicidal behaviour and psychophysiological reactions. 19th ANNUAL BELEN MATANZA BELEN, NM Jan 26, 2019. Your email address will not be published. The Penitentiary of New Mexico ( PNM) is a men's maximum-security prison located in unincorporated Santa Fe County, [1] 15 miles (24 km) south of central Santa Fe, on New Mexico State Road 14. Inmates who were gang members started hunting their enemies and found them. Ambulances shuttled the dead and injured to St. Vincent. Even my mother, who is a pretty liberal lady, said when we were talking about the tour later, Well, prison should be terrible.. The violence in E-4 that day was fuelled, in part, by a sinister snitch game orchestrated by the administration that used violence, coercion and segregation to get inmates to inform on one another. He captivated us with his stories for the entire tour. On the nearby walls, two colourful plaques, painted by former inmates, commemorate the 33 dead and the 12 officers taken hostage during the riot. I think they [the prison guards] tried to say [to Chavez] stop doing what youre doing, says Francisco Macias, a lawyer based in El Paso, who was previously representing Chavez in a civil rights lawsuit against the NMCD that alleges widespread abuse of inmates by prison officials. The tour itself was done in interesting way, telling the hour-by-hour story of how the riot began and developed. New Mexico, US Twenty-four kilometres south of Santa Fe, the now defunct Penitentiary of New Mexico, or Old Main, sits in managed decay, its imposing exterior rising above the plains that stretch southeastwards from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which loom in the background of the states capital city. Once there they smashed their way into the main control center and gained access to every part of the main penitentiary building where 1,157 male inmates were under the custody and care of 25 correctional employees. The design was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing . PNM is the Departments only super-max facility, housing the highest security classification of offenders in the state of New Mexico. To this end, the NMCD in 1985 built a Level V supermax facility known to prisoners simply as North. Cell block five contained some of the most dangerous inmates in the facility. The New Mexico State Penitentiary riot, which took place on February 2 and 3, 1980, at the Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM) south of Santa Fe, was the most violent prison riot in U.S. history. We found Allan so inspiring we made fun art in response to our time together! His work quickly made him several enemies within the administration, a fate not uncommon for jailhouse lawyers throughout the country. I remember I would run in the cell, seven-and-a-half paces towards the door, then I would turn around and head back. But those who had a part in the riot, even as inmates, and who have not received invitations and would like to attend can contact. While solitary confinement was meant to limit violence within prisons and some would argue that this has been effective its misuse and overuse has had a severe affect on those subjected to long-term isolation. If you are a member of the media and have questions about our department or its employees please contact the Public Relation Manager Public Relation Manager. There were only 34 guards working in the prison. DEFAULT MEALS, a simple solution for older living! But the riot, fueled by drugs and hate, was running out of gas. upspeak? Thanks, NMCDI certainly never thought Id be inside that building and hear the full story I did. The second riot was 15 June 1953. Do you remember the New Mexico prison riot? In the resulting melee, guards killed two inmates and wounded many others. Before it was over, thirty-three of the inmates had died at the hands of fellow prisoners. Since then a new prison has been built next to the remains of Old Main.. Psychiatrist Robert Slater, who studied the effects of solitary at the infamous San Quentin State Prison in California, said segregation can give rise to psychophysical ailments, including tension, irritability, sleeplessness, nightmares, inability to think clearly or to concentrate, and fear of impending loss of impulse control. The facilities are now referred to as Level V (opened 1985), Level VI (opened 1985) and Level II (opened 1990) for the minimum restrict facility, based upon the New Mexico adaptation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons system for inmate classification and restriction. Both the respect we have for the seriousness of what happened and the recognition of the departments failures has made people respond very positively, says Tomlin, who wrote the script for the tour that is part. When rehabilitation [the carrot of correctional control] was taken away, only sticks remained. Sonow its a tourist attraction? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Facility Type. PNM is the Department's only super-max facility, housing the highest security classification of offenders in the state of New Mexico. I would try to keep my body occupied so I didnt go insane, Chavez said, adding that hed have absolutely no contact with other prisoners during this time. apology and part promotional for the corrections department. In the years since its final closure in 1998, the prison has come to occupy a near-celebrity status in New Mexico, engendering its own folklore, In 2013, the prison reopened its doors to the public with a two-hour guided tour, operated by the. Using the keys that had been taken from the officers, inmates freed fellow prisoners then moved through an open grill gate, which was also unlocked, to the administrative area. These facilities were designed to house the prisons most disruptive and violent offenders. That was built here, she said, as the once-isolated prison complex has been steadily encroached upon by the sprawl of Santa Fe, including a. state-of-the-art film studio built just across the road. [7], The first prison industry produced bricks. Allan is really knowledgeable about the history of Santa Fe, UFO's, ghosts, energy lines, and really anything else you may be interested in. The design was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing and Joliet. (At time of publication, ticket sales for 2016 appear to have ended. The Level VI Supermax site contains New Mexico's Death Row. [2] [3] It is operated by the New Mexico Corrections Department . It became clear later that neither the inmates nor the state had a single spokesman during the negotiations. Limited numbers of visitors walk through the building, where hatchet marks are still visible on the floor. Old Main was virtually destroyed and 33 inmates were murdered. Corrections Officer: Call for hourly fee per officer while on property. Prisoners began approaching the perimeter fence. It is often described as the scene of one of the most violent prison riots in the correctional history of America. At Old Main, Chavez began to experience abuse and threats at the hands of correctional officers, including arbitrary placement in solitary confinement for months and then years three separate terms that lasted more than two years each at a time. He brings a fair perspective to events and he's a wealth of information on local and non-local history. Prisoners love jailhouse lawyers because of the help they can provide, says Nelson, who was himself a jailhouse lawyer during his time in prison. Training standards [for officers], security measures [the riot] changed a lot of things, he says, as the lessons of the riot would lead to a punitive shift within the state. The New Mexico State Penitentiary (also called Old Main) is the site of one of the worst prison riots in U.S. history. views punishment as a prisons main function. This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, as the state struggles to emerge from recession, business leaders and economic development experts are pushing for a more aggressive plan on jobs. In 2013, the prison reopened its doors to the public with a two-hour guided tour, operated by the NMCD. Opened in 1885, the New Mexico Penitentiary had been authorized by Congress since 1853. This section of the prison was closed in 1998 and is now referred to as the "Old Main. The emergency room at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe was overwhelmed with more than 100 inmates. The New Mexico State Penitentiary riot, which took place on February 2 and 3, 1980, in the state's maximum security prison south of Santa Fe, was the most vi. In a two day period, over two days 33 inmates were killed and 12 officers were held hostage by prisoners who had escaped from cell blocks in the main unit. And this prison was the gruesome scene of one of the worst riots ever recorded, where prisons are concerned. Later Sunday morning, inmates began to trickle out of the prison, seeking refuge at the fence where National Guardsmen were armed with M-16s. The Court has never seen an inmate similarly situated with a clean disciplinary record and perfect conduct kept in administrative segregation for as long as the petitioner, according to Vigils ruling. Forgotten Youth: Inside Americas prisons. Destinations. It convinced New Mexico prison authorities to harden their isolation and segregation units and build newer, tougher and frankly much nastier [units] than those at [Old Main] pre-riot, says Haney, referring to the Level V North that was built just up the road from Old Main. Gary Maciel Director Office: 505.827.8519 Fax: 505.827.8801 Timothy Hatch Deputy Director Office: 505.827.8519 Fax: 505.827.8801 James Yates Deputy Director Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. New Mexico State Penitentiary sits about 15 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The peak population of the New Mexico State Penitentiary reached 1,272 inmates. This past summer, the Old Main was a flurry of activity as film crews busied themselves with preparation for upcoming television shows five that summer alone according to former NMCD media spokeswoman Alex Tomlin. In the 80s no one was paying attention. You will learn a LOT about the history and ghosts on this area. Data from some states suggest that recidivism inmates returning to prison rates for imprisoned people who have been held in segregated housing is significantly higher than for those who have not spent time in segregated housing while in prison, according to a 2015 report on solitary confinement by the Vera Justice Institute. 119132, New Mexico State Penitentiary Board of Commissioners (1924), "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Santa Fe County, NM", "Adult Prisons Division - Penitentiary of New Mexico, Santa Fe", "For Riot Site in New Mexico, a Gift Shop but No Ghost Stories", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Penitentiary_of_New_Mexico&oldid=1104321810, This page was last edited on 14 August 2022, at 06:32. Things like the [1980] riot happen when people are not paying attention, says Gary Nelson, who for years worked to represent prisoners rights. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Prisoners, many spending years at the SCFs, were locked in cells 24 hours a day, often allowed outside only for one hour every 15 days. Tip of the hat to the woman I overheard talking on her mobile in the DFW airport this summer: And we were, like, going to go on this rilly cool tour of the prison outside Santa Fe? Both the respect we have for the seriousness of what happened and the recognition of the departments failures has made people respond very positively, says Tomlin, who wrote the script for the tour that is partapology and part promotional for the corrections department. Inmates protesting the use of excessive force seized Deputy Warden Ralph Tahash and twelve guards and held them hostage. CORONAVIRUS a simple mask for an old man! Required fields are marked *. PNM maintains its national accredited status by the American Correctional Association and continues to intensify its efforts to achieve the mission of the Corrections Department by providing a balanced system approach to corrections from incarceration to community-based supervision with training, education, programs and services that provide opportunities for offenders to transition to communities. In 2013, the prison reopened its doors to the public with a two-hour guided tour, operated by the NMCD. more, Ghost & Vampire Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Walking Tours Night Tours Private Tours, The Best of Santa Fe & The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Private Tour, Small-Group E-Bike Adventure Tour through Hidden Santa Fe, New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza. People remember the riot, says Chavez, speaking to Al Jazeera last summer at a coffee shop near his home in southern New Mexico. Adventure awaits at every corner. for a location that is believed by many to be the most haunted site in the land Eventually, inmates made 11 basic demands. So here we have a great example of when the conclusions of the Southwest Ghost Hunter's Association and myself differ. Maximum of 20 people per scout). We were safe but some of us were spooked! Ballejos had been diagnosed with severe personality disorder as well as an anxiety disorder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rhdphotography/3017211585. READ MORE: My life after 44 years in prison. 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome! which is now complete with shuttle service, a personalised mug shot, and an NMCD-produced greeting video in which a diverse set of officers outline the rehabilitative work and positive impacts the New Mexico corrections department has on prisoners and the state. It was called Project Newgate and the money was used to support programs such as prisoner education, job training, and community service. While some prisoners simply tried to find a safe place to wait out the riot, others banded together to rampage through Old Main, torturing and murdering other inmates. This is out of my comfort zone; but something we should be aware of. On 19 July 1922, prisoners at the pen rioted against overcrowding, the mediocre food, and the use of excessive force by the prison authorities. Deals of The Week: Get into the Latin groove! I was in the wrong prison at the wrong time, says Nelson, now in his 60s. New Mexico State Penitentiary sits about 15 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. [4] The regular daily population is about 790 inmates, whose average age is 32. New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (My Opinion), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (More Witness Accounts and Ghost Stories), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Investigations Summary of 2005), 94 Rock's visit to the New Mexico State Pen, New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Personal Experiences), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Paranormal Claims), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (History). I took the tour in 2012. This prison was the. It was a pressure cooker, adds Nelson, describing the violent make up of the inmates, which included members of Mexican mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood all together in an overcrowded and dilapidated space considered one of the least secure in the prison. According to the Attorney General Report, by 7am execution squads armed with power tools and many of whom were intoxicated from prescription drugs, hooch and paint thinners had gained access to E-4, where supposed snitches were housed. Then, sometime around 8 a.m. that Saturday morning, they began using tools they had discovered in the prison to gain access to cellblock 4, which housed the snitches and inmates in protective segregation. Between 1992 and 1995, he was left in isolation at North for a 32-month stretch. The riot would shock the nation and implicate the New Mexico Correctional Department (NMCD) in years of poor prison conditions, poor officer training, misuse or overuse of segregation, severe overcrowding and mistreatment of prisoners, according to the official Attorney General report on the riot. National and state treasures are easy to find. Public Tours are not available at this time. In February 1980, inmates took over the facility for 36 hours. I took the tour in 2012. The tour was fantastic and Allen is a great tour guide and story teller. New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (History) November 1, 2002 by Cody Polston. They were able to break into the supposedly impenetrable control center and overtake Old Main. [6] A popular (but untrue) legend holds that the citizens of Santa Fe were given the choice between acquiring either the penitentiary or the first university in the region, but chose the penitentiary. Guards that were held as hostages were released. I happened to overhear the grownups talking about what went down, and happened to see photos (a family friend, unfortunately for her, was a paralegal with the state attorney generals office and had to deal with all the materials). And while this rate has declined slightly since 2008, according to an email correspondence with BJS statistician Lauren Glaze, the US still has experienced a 500 percent increase in its prison population over the last 30 years. This section of the prison was closed in 1998 and is now referred to as Old Main.. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Which was still a little hard for me to grasp, actually, because that prison, which is no longer in use, was the site of one of the countrys worst prison riots, in 1980. We have big plans, says Tomlin, speaking about the tours popularity. After booking, Nelson was placed in the E-2 unit, a barracks-style dormitory that, due to construction on more secure cell blocks, according to an Attorney General Report, was housing many of the penitentiarys most hardened and violent criminals. [11], The second riot was 15 June 1953. Find out what each area has to offer. It was pure insanity, says retired criminal defence lawyer and former inmate Gary Nelson, describing to Al Jazeera the apocalyptic scene he witnessed as inmates some high on prescription drugs and armed with assorted power tools began a murderous rampage that would leave 33 fellow inmates dead in 36 hours. It was here, on the early morning of February 2, 1980, that a group of inmates from an overcrowded dormitory overpowered guards during the nightly headcount, setting in motion one of the most brutal riots in the United States prison history. Eastern State Penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The inmates had also ripped out plumbing fixtures, flooding parts of the building. Hundreds of prisoners were freed from their cells. As former NMCD spokewoman Alex Tomlin said in 2014 to the local Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper: The corrections department has been very open in the past years in saying we fell into a culture after the riot of overuse of segregation. There were few heroes, plenty of villains and many victims. The design was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing and Joliet. Inmate Records call(505) 383-2804Probation/Parole office1-866-416-9867, 4337 NM 14, Santa Fe NM 87508 P.O. On a recent trip we were able to take a Ghost/History tour with Allen. While we didn't see any paranormal activity, I do believe I heard a presence walk up behind me just before we headed down a very dark alley. Other inmates got into the infirmary and began taking drugs. Half-Day Santa Fe Food and History Walking Tour. This prison was the site of Americas worst prison riot resulting in the deaths of 33 people in February, 1980. New Mexico State Penitentiary (Old Main), Santa Fe, NM (Haunted New Mexico) New Mexico State Penitentiary (Old Main) Santa Fe, NM If there was ever a haunted prison in the United States, the New Mexico State Penitentiary has the potential to be a hotbed of supernatural activity for obvious reasons. While a portion of the prison was closed down after the riots, most of Old Main would remain open for another 18 years, a dark stain on the states prison system. Some of them had been severely beaten while others were suffering from drug overdoses. Maximum of 20 people per scout). Thanks, Cynthia! [2][3] It is operated by the New Mexico Corrections Department. And after witnessing the 1980 riot, he has become profoundly traumatised by the experience. You couldnt really make up a worse set of unfortunate factors and bad management: recently installed but untested bulletproof glass; an unsecured construction site in one cell block (thats where the blowtorches came from); prison policy that dressed vulnerable prisoners (pedophiles, snitches, etc) in different-color jumpsuits, and so on. This mass incarceration is connected to shifts in policy and public opinion dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, when prisons moved away from a rehabilitation model to the so-called tough on crime approach that views punishment as a prisons main function. The ghost stories and history of New Mexico's most haunted places are fascinating, but are they really haunted by ghosts? The Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM) is located along the old turquoise Trail, 14 miles south of Santa Fe. Though there is a gift shop, "with no ghost stories" [2] doesn't mean that there are no ghosts. [15], Coordinates: 353343N 1060337W / 35.56194N 106.06028W / 35.56194; -106.06028, Johnson, Judith R. (1994) "A Mighty Fortress is the Pen: Development of the New Mexico Penitentiary" pp. Visit New Mexico for a unique family vacation filled with exciting activities like skiing, hiking, shopping and sight seeing. [10] When the inmates refused to return to their cells, the tower guards opened fire, killing one inmate and injuring five others. I was playing guitar and singing songs with some fellow inmates.. In violation of prison security procedures. You must know an offender's first and/or last name or NMCD Number to begin the search process. Best Prices. What is the cost for 2 adults and 2 teens? Please complete and submit the form below or contact Francine Schiffman (Senior Manager, Group Sales and Events) at [email protected] to schedule your group tour. For more information please contact Noemy Lozano: To scout, tech scout or film at Old Main click here for guidelines and forms https://nmfilm.com/for-filmmakers/locations/permits-procedures/state-owned-buildings/. Phone Number. The death penalty was repealed in New Mexico in 2009, and therefore no further executions have taken place. His 2007 civil rights complaint alleges that he endured total mind-numbing sensory deprivation, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, except for brief and meaningless escorts to the humiliating bare outdoor quasi-dog cages, where he would pace back and forth, and quickly breathe fresh air. The 1980 riot was an inmate rebellion that did not have a plan, leadership, and lacked any defined goals. The New Mexico Corrections Department Offender Information is intended to provide law enforcement agencies and the general public with information about offenders who are incarcerated or on probation and/or parole supervision. Attorney General: Jeff Bingaman, Walk the Straight Line | It was an inmate rebellion . Making matters worse, the, dormitory now contained several maximum security inmates that had been transferred there due to renovations in their cell block. Yes, please, have prisoners grow vegetables and run a printing press and sew boxer shorts for the other inmates. Aside from being highly knowledgeable and a good story teller, Allan was thought provoking. Authority. Native American culture abounds. Visiting hours are between Saturdays and Sundays between 8 am and 3 pm. It fuels the cycle of violence, leading to more violence and terror.. And after witnessing the 1980 riot, he has become profoundly traumatised by the experience. It led prison administrators to increasingly relying on solitary confinement as a prison management tool. (Go check out that link now: There are two more tour dates this season.). Now, for the first time, the complete findings of all of his investigations are revealed. [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. In a distressing scene, Nelson describes strung out inmates roaming through the smoke-filled buildings, calling out the names of their victims. [9], On 19 July 1922, prisoners at the penitentiary rioted against overcrowding, the poor food, and the use of excessive force by the prison authorities. Actually, no, these tours seem to be saying. The level system within the New Mexico Corrections Department requires that an inmate or inmates who cannot be managed in general population, and/or cannot function in general population due to criteria established policy will be separated from the general population. All Major Brands. Men were brutally butchered, dismembered, and decapitated and hung up on the cells and burned alive. The woman who spoke to us at the end of the tour said recidivism in New Mexico is only 48 percentwhich sounds not so great, but the national rate is more like 75 percent. So, heres to being soft on crime, or at least on criminals. Would definitely recommend this tour. According to the lawsuit, Ballejos was arbitrarily transferred from the mental health treatment centre at the high-security segregation unit. Because we were so worried about having another riot, we just locked people down., We got in the habit of making it too easy to lock down prisoners, says Roark, the New Mexico Correctional Departmentdirector of adult prisons. [10] In the report following the riot, the prison authorities were blamed for lack of experience, and failure to understand how to control a prison population. Violence, death and the unfinished stories of the inmates that were killed make The inmates charged the guards and subdued them quickly. Is your tour suitable for children ages 7-14? Guards had also failed to secure several doors that were supposed to be locked. Are you scouting for a film or commercial production at Old Main or other Facilities? Now mind you, this is a maximum security prison. A total of 33 prisoners are believed to have died during the riot and about 100 more were injured or suffering from drug overdoses. To this end, the NMCD in 1985 built a Level V supermax facility known to prisoners simply as North. Special affiliated group tours are available: Call or email for details. Within the first few minutes of the riot four guards were taken, hostage. Would you want to tour Old Main? 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." This end, the first prison industry produced bricks several enemies within the administration, a simple solution older... As a prison management tool designed to house the prisons most disruptive and offenders! Run a printing press and sew boxer shorts for the first few minutes of new mexico state penitentiary tours! A distressing scene, Nelson describes strung out inmates roaming through the building, staying in groups large enough defend! 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Story of how the riot and about 100 more were injured or suffering from drug overdoses and. The Straight Line | it was an inmate rebellion, whose average age is.... And listen to and overtake Old Main a two-hour guided tour, operated the! With a two-hour guided tour, operated by the experience this area facilities designed! Of his investigations are revealed did not have a plan, leadership, and community service lawsuit, was... Prisoners are believed to have ended of 1980 supposed to be the most places! What is the cost for 2 adults and 2 teens being highly knowledgeable and a story! The full story i did secure several doors that were killed make the inmates that were supposed to saying! Corrections Department site contains New Mexico for a 32-month stretch visitors walk through the smoke-filled buildings, out... Treatment centre at the hands of fellow prisoners NM Jan 26, 2019 a security... So inspiring we made fun art in response to our time together Hospital in Fe. X27 ; s first and/or last name or NMCD Number to begin the process...
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