Findings from the survey by the Corrections Compendium show that incidents of violence within the Nation's prisons increased markedly in 1994 and 1995. Most notable were reported incidents of inmate suicide, which increased 48 percent between 1993 and 1994 and increased again in 1995. Even though data for two of the largest jurisdictions, California and Florida, did not include reports of riots or disturbances, the 277 reported disturbances in 1994 constituted a 49-percent increase over the 186 reported for 1993. For 1995 respondents reported approximately 402 disturbances, a 45-percent increase over the number indicated by respondents in 1994. In 1994 there were 62 reported inmate-on- inmate homicides; 63 were reported for 1995. No staff members were reported killed during 1994. Arkansas and the Federal Bureau of Prisons each reported one staff member killed in 1995. A total of 148 inmates committed suicide in 1994, and 160 inmates committed suicide in 1995. A total of 6,860 assaults on staff members were reported by 39 jurisdictions during 1994. For 1995 6,788 staff assaults were reported. Data are also provided on inmate injuries, inmate escapes, and "walkaways" from unsecured facilities. A table on prison violence in 1994 and 1995 shows the average daily population, inmates killed (by inmates and by staff), staff/officers killed and assaulted, inmates injured by staff, and inmate suicides (attempts and deaths) for each jurisdiction. Other tables pertain to riots and disturbances for 1994-1995, as well as escapes and "walkways."
Violence on the Rise in U.S. Prisons
NCJ Number
163751
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 20 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1995) Pages: 9-27
Date Published
1995
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and information on violence in U.S. prisons for 1994 and 1995, including riots and disturbances, homicides, inmate suicides, staff assaults, inmate injuries, escapes, and "walkaways."
Abstract