NCJ Number
59387
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
METHODS WHICH MAY BE USED BY PRISON OFFICIALS TO COUNTERACT ACTS OF TERRORISM WITHIN PRISONS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING IMPROVED PHYSICAL SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE GATHERING.
Abstract
CURRENTLY, SEVEN GROUPS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE PRISONS, EXIST IN THE UNITED STATE MOST NOTABLY THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, AND THE MEXICAN MAFIA. SINCE REHABILITATIVE EFFORTS DIRECTED AT MILITANT INMATES ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE UNSUCCESSFUL, ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DEALING WITH THESE PRISONERS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED. MILITANT AGITATORS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT PRISONS, RATHER THAN KEPT TOGETHER. MORE MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, WHO COULD HAVE A POSITIVE AFFECT ON TERRORISTS AND AGITATORS, SHOULD BE RECRUITED FOR PRISON STAFF JOBS. ALSO, INTELLIGENCE SHOULD BE GATHERED BY PRISON OFFICIALS REGARDING TERRORISM IN PRISONS, INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION. PRISON SECURITY SHOULD BE ASSESSED, PARTICULARLY AT THE MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS, ON BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IN GENERAL, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON PREVENTING AND PLANNING FOR ACTS OF TERRORISM. FOR INSTANCE, PRISON OFFICIALS SHOULD EXAMINE THE UTILIZATION OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAMS. GUIDELINES SHOULD BE SET FORTH FROM WHICH CONTROL, CONTAINMENT, AND RESTORATION TASKS CAN BE ACHIEVED. PHYSICAL SECURITY SHOULD INVOLVE AN ANALYSIS OF PERIMETER BOUNDARIES, POSITIONING OF TOWERS FOR MAXIMUM SURVEILLANCE, STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS TO PREVENT ESCAPES, AND APPROPRIATE USE OF WEAPONRY. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)