NCJ Number
47300
Date Published
1975
Length
83 pages
Annotation
A PRISON UPRISING, IN WHICH 3 INMATES TOOK 16 HOSTAGES, IS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE WHAT CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT, AND TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO AVOID FUTURE DISORDERS.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY'S REPORT CONSIDERING THE PERSONALITIES OF THE INVOLVED INMATES, THE SUPPORT SYSTEM WHICH ENABLED THE INCIDENT TO OCCUR, AND THE REACTION OF POLICE, PRISON STAFF, AND PRISON MANAGEMENT TO THE CRISIS IS PRINTED IN FULL WITH ONLY A FEW NAME CHANGES TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF SOME INDIVIDUALS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE HOSTAGE TAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ONE OF THE HOSTAGES, WAS THE RESULT OF INADEQUATE RECOGNITION OF SECURITY REQUIREMENTS AND INADEQUATE ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY MEASURES. THE THREE CONVICTS INVOLVED HAD A HISTORY OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, BUT WERE RELEASED INTO THE GENERAL PRISON POPULATION WITHOUT SUFFICIENT SUPERVISION. ONE OF THE INMATES HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE CLASSIFICATION BUILDING AND HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO ROAM ALMOST AT WILL, THUS PERMITTING HIM TO PLAN THE TAKING OF HOSTAGES. CLASSIFICATION PERSONNEL IGNORED WARNINGS BY INMATES, AND OTHER CLASSIFICATION OFFICERS FAILED TO ADHERE TO STANDING ORDERS AND ROUTINES IN RESPECT TO SECURITY. THERE WAS ALSO A LACK OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CLASSIFICATION OFFICERS AND SECURITY PERSONNEL. CONTROL OF KITCHEN KNIVES WAS INEFFECTIVE. THE INITIAL RESPONSE OF THE PRISON DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF TO CONTAIN THE INCIDENT WAS TERMED CORRECT AND REASONABLE. HOWEVER, THE STAFF FAILED TO ADHERE TO POLICY BY NOT PRESERVING EVIDENCE AFTER QUELLING THE BREAKOUT ATTEMPT. THE LOSS OF FINGERPRINTS ON WEAPONS USED IN THE BREAKOUT ATTEMPT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICIZED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CONTINGENCY PLANS AND COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HOSTAGE-TAKING EVENTS BE DEVELOPED, THAT AN ALARM BE INSTALLED IN THE CLASSIFICATION BUILDING, AND THAT MANAGEMENT AND STAFF BE PRECONDITIONED TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEY MAY BE TAKEN HOSTAGE. STAFF SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED IN APPROPRIATE HOSTAGE BEHAVIOR. TACTICAL SQUADS FROM OUTSIDE THE PENITENTIARY SERVICE SHOULD BE TRAINED TO HANDLE EVENTS OF THIS NATURE. THE MAIN SECTION OF THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE ENTIRE INCIDENT IN DETAIL, LISTS APPEARANCES BY COUNSEL BEFORE THE COMMISSION, LISTS EXHIBITS PRODUCED AT THE HEARING, AND GIVES IMPORTANT RULINGS MADE BY THE COMMISSION DURING THE COURSE OF THE HEARINGS WITH ACCOMPANYING EXPLANATIONS. (GLR)