NCJ Number
120840
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 29-38
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article examines the issue of prison violence in terms of the adequacy of the theories currently used to explain it.
Abstract
The traditional theories of prison riots are subjected to a critical review, using prison riots in Jackson (Michigan), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), Attica (New York), and New Mexico institutions as a source of data. The prevailing theories are criticized on many grounds and a tentative new theory of prison violence is postulated. It is argued that the current theories of prison riots are inadequate and that the entire issue needs to be reexamined from a theoretical perspective which includes the relationship between prison violence and the entire spectrum of prison life. The article concludes with a discussion of some of the research questions which need to be answered before prison violence (and particularly riots) can be placed in a proper theoretical and substantive framework. 23 references. (Author abstract)