NCJ Number
148286
Date Published
1993
Length
35 pages
Annotation
The conference presentation uses chaos theory to explain the nature of prison riots. Neither practical causes (such as bad food, boredom, or lax security) nor theoretical causes (such as deprivation theory or breakdown theory) adequately explain or predict prison riots.
Abstract
In the absence of such explanations, it is argued that chaos theory can enhance understanding of these disorders. Chaos theory, which gained wide acceptance in the 1970's, uses complex computer technology to show that apparently random events (e.g., the dripping of a faucet or the configuration of snowflakes) follow a pattern though this pattern cannot be predetermined. Prison riots appear to follow a chaotic pattern: At times, a particular combination of circumstances causes a riot, whereas a similar constellation at a different prison remains peaceful. Although researchers have found patterns in prison riots, the course of a particular riot cannot be predicted because each riot is unique. According to chaos theory, riots are most likely to erupt when the environment is full of discrepancies and instability. Stable and safe prison conditions are the best protection against disorders. 27 references