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Corrections Today, Feb 1999 v61 i1 p80(1)

Mark A History of Correctional Violence: An Examination of Reported Causes of Riots and Disturbances. (Review) Curtis R. Blakely.

Reid H. Montgomery Jr. and Gordon A. Crews, American Correctional Association, 1-800-222-5646, 1998, 174 PP.

Correctional practitioners inhabit a world that few experience - a world in which territoriality and violence are commonplace. This violence, which is such a pervasive and all-encompassing component of prison life, often ends with serious injury or death. This normative aspect of prison culture can lead to a decreased sensitivity to behavior that might lead to a riot and a lessening of interest in the dynamics surrounding its occurrence. Throughout the book, the destructive force that can be unleashed upon an unprepared correctional facility is disastrously illustrated. A History of Correctional Violence: An Examination of Reported Causes of Riots and Disturbances contains valuable information for both correctional practitioners and students of penology.

The authors, Reid H. Montgomery and Gordon A. Crews, begin by reviewing the current decrease in offense rates for traditional varieties of violent crime. The authors contend that, while crime rates appear to be decreasing, there is a corresponding rise in violent activities occurring within America's prison system. This, they say, may be a direct result of the unprecedented number of prison commitments and current sentencing procedures mandating longer prison terms. Therein lies the purpose of this text - to analyze historical and contemporary prison riots with the intent to implement more effective intervention strategies, so that trends in correctional violence might be reversed. In doing so, the authors pay particular attention to the biological, psychological and sociocultural factors that are somewhat intertwined in these acts of aggression.

This text is divided into six chapters: "Issues of Prison Violence in America"; "Independent Causes and Triggering Events of "Prison Violence"; "Prison Violence Caused by Multiple Events"; "Analysis of Prison Violence from 1900 to 1995"; "Theories of the Causes of Prison Violence"; and "Understanding Equals Deterrence." Each is thorough, comprehensive and written in a manner that will be useful to the correctional employee or student. Each section begins with an introduction that provides insight into the subjects that follow. The manuscript is fully developed thematically, with all chapter subtopics being well-labeled. Ample photographs, data tables and pull-out quotes provide visual stimuli and clarity, adding considerably to the topic areas. In Chapter 1, Montgomery and Crews concentrate their efforts on the historical nature of prison violence in order to familiarize the reader with the prison environment and inmate subculture. This chapter is general in nature and serves to introduce the reader to basic premises and topics. The authors briefly explain their operational definition of prison violence and offer a thorough analysis of the methodologies used within this text. The authors delve into the independent causes and triggering events sparking prison violence in Chapter 2. These causes include racial tensions, prison rules, attempted escapes, gang disputes and conflicts with correctional staff.

This discussion continues in the next chapter with an analysis of prison violence, which centers upon the totality of the prison experience. Numerous prison riots are considered, including Attica and Santa Fe, but also lesser- known riots, such as those occurring at Raiford, Fla., Central Prison, N.C., and Camp Hill, Pa., are reviewed. Factors that are assessed include failure to control contraband, staff turnover, policy changes, improper classification and crowding.

While preceding chapters focus heavily on microlevel factors, Chapter 4 provides the reader with a macrolevel analysis of historical trends and characteristics. These trends and characteristics are cataloged within three distinct time periods: 1900 to 1949, 1950 to 1979 and 1980 to 1995. The authors note that while there have been fluctuations in the type and frequency of triggering events, it appears that "confrontations with other inmates," "confrontations with staff" and "gang-related issues" are increasingly being identified as causation factors. Other factors that are examined include state occurrence statistics, riot durations and riot termination methods.

In Chapter 5, the authors review causation theories of prison violence. Eleven theories are discussed, including conflict theory, environmental conditions theory, grievance theory and the power vacuum theory. According to Montgomery and Crews, since riots always include multiple causes, consideration of theory is imperative. The authors fully differentiate between underlying causes of a riot as being the basis from which a riot's momentum originates vs. a triggering event as those real or perceived wrongs that spark inmate disorder.

In the final chapter, the authors discuss a variety of material, including crowding and characteristics of America's modern prison population. Of particular interest is a section on staff perceptions of prison problems.

A History of Correctional Violence is timely, well-designed, and offers an in-depth look at many of America's prison riots. It is easily the most comprehensive text to date on this subject and is an excellent source of information on prison riots. It is a prime example of correctional researchers applying quantitative analysis to improve working conditions. For those interested in corrections, violence and the environment in which staff and officers work, this text is invaluable and, adds to the body of knowledge. Those in academia should consider including it in both undergraduate and graduate corrections courses. The authors accomplish their goal of providing readers with the information needed to develop a thorough understanding of prison violence. Now it is the responsibility of the corrections professional to use this information to increase the safety of our facilities.

Reviewed by Curtis R. Blakely, Ed.S., training specialist with the Kentucky Policing Institute.