Robert Dellelo, referred to as “Bobby” by friends, first entered the prison system at the age of thirteen. Dellelo grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Following his early years in the Lyman school, Dellelo spent 40 years in prison, including 10 years in solitary confinement. He spent the majority of his time incarcerated in MCI Walpole. Bobby quickly became one of the leaders in Walpole, which was one of the most violent prisons in the United States. In 1972, the men incarcerated at Walpole organized the National Prisoners Reform Association (NRPA). Dellelo was the first President of the NPRA and helped run the institution for two months after Walpole’s correctional officers’ union went on strike. From March to May, 1973, the NPRA was in control of the prison. Dellelo begins his remarks below discussing a meeting/rally for prisoners rights held September 29, 1971, soon after the uprising and massacre at Attica Correctional Facility in New York. This event was an important step in the development of prisoner organizing at Walpole leading toward the founding of the NPRA.