Prison riots have increased the last few decades. Appalling conditions as well unfair treatment caused grievances amongst inmates. This article sets out to examine 10 case studies that are worth mentioning.
1. Carandiru Prison Riot:
The riot turned into a massacre on October 2, 1992. This was and still is considered a major human rights violation in the history of Brazil. The massacre was caused by a prisoner revolt within the prison. There were no negotiations done, before the prison got stormed by military state police. 111 people were killed in the massacre.
2. Canon City Prison Riots:
On October 3, 1929, one of the most bloody prison riots in U.S. History occurred. Prisoners took guards hostage in order to attempt an escape. Much of the prison was destroyed and resulted in the deaths of 8 guards; 9 others were wounded. 5 of the prisoner insurgencies were either killed or committed suicide, while John F. Hickman suffered injuries.
3. Apodaca Prison Riot:
On February 20, 2012, 44 inmates were killed and several others were injured and wounded. The riot took place inside the Apodaca prison in the northern state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. All of those who have been confirmed as dead were from the D Dormitory. The cause of the riot was a power struggle between members of the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetos Cartel. Both groups try to control drug sales inside the prison. Drug trafficking has already cost the lives of 47,000 people in Mexican when President Calderon launched a war against organized crimes in 2006.
4. New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot:
The riot took place on February 2nd and 3rd of 1980. The penitentiary was a state maximum security facility south of Sante Fe. This was one of the most violent prison acts in American history with 33 dead and 200 injured. Many officers were taken hostage; however, none were killed. The cause of the riots was atrocious prison conditions. It was also quite predicted, but not prevented.
5. Strangeways Prison Riot:
This 1990 prison riot in Manchester, England lasted for 25 days; making it the longest in British penal history. The riots commenced when prisoners took over the prison chapel. From there it spread throughout the whole prison. The riot left 2 men dead and 194 injured. Things changed within the British penal system. Conditions were bettered as well, including telephone lines and an end to slopping out.
A prisoner in the first place might find solace by reading books as they have a silent healing capacity. Books about successes of positive thinking and constructive behavior are a great tool to help the imprisoned get sound advice on effective life. By reading a book one forgets his own pains and gets into the lives of the book character or the story teller himself. Thus book reading is perhaps the best way to find shelter in the lonely world of prison
A prison is also a small society where one comes across numerous fellow prisoners as well as officers and wardens. Another best thing to do would be to make friends. A friend in need is friend indeed is an old saying and it is when sorrow strikes, that friends are needed. Sharing life experience and talking about ones grief and guilt might have a great healing effect on the resentful mind of a prisoner.
Prisons are next to hell, is what has been heard and read across in various books. Thus to maintain a clean and healthy regime in the prison can itself be a tiring task. And a tiring task in turn would undo the bitterness that sets in. maintaining a proper routine by cleaning utensils, washing one’s clothes, bathing cleaning prison rooms can not only lay a helping hand but also help in keeping oneself healthy and clean.
Going religious is another way of holding God’s hand and ask him to guide through the path. A prisoner most of the times is full of gloom and resentment, a religious approach by trying to connect with the supreme being can make wonders. Though this might have some varied opinions and comments since religion is a very tender issue, it has either united or separated people all across the world. Nevertheless god is the ultimate savior and those who surrender themselves to God definitely get to see the sunny way.
A good behavior can win over an enemy also, so by adopting a positive well balanced behavior, a prisoner can lead a life peaceful life in the prison.
In jail, this term is used to describe those people who attach themselves to new inmates and are referred to as their ‘girlfriends’. It is done mainly for protection and the inmate may benefit in the short run but ultimately the other prisoner will not only abuse the inmate but also treat him like a slave.
When in prison, only speak when you are spoken to. This means that you should not talk about unnecessary things and definitely not discuss your crime. This becomes all the more important if you have been convicted for a sexual crime. If you are foolish enough to brag about it, you will become a huge target for brutality and rape.
If you want to die in prison, you should definitely start gambling behind bars. When you play with other prisons, you will find yourself in a lose-lose situation. If you lose, you make them angry and if you win, you make them angrier. However, it is okay to play a few friendly games as this will help you pass time faster.
If an incidents occurs in the jail and you know who is behind it; keep it to yourself if the guard asks you anything about it. If you start telling on your inmates, you will have to face the music. In addition to that, be sure to be nice to the guards whenever you can.
If somebody is in prison, it probably means that he is not a kind person, unless of course he has been wrongly accused. Therefore, if somebody lends you something, always refuse because if you don’t, you will become indebted to that person and end up getting killed eventually.
