The Utility of Prison Violence: An A-Causal Approach to Prison Riots

Abstract

This article examines the issue of prison violence in terms of the adequacy of the theories currently used to explain it. The traditional theories of prison riots are subjected to a critical review, using prison riots in the 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.

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