FORCE VERSUS RESTRAINT IN PRISON RIOTS

• NCJ Number: 7677
• Journal: Crime and Delinquency Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1972) Pages: 411-421
• Author(s): G D Garson
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

HISTORICAL EVALUATION OF THE USES OF FORCE VERSUS RESTRAINT IN THE HANDLING OF PRISON DISORDERS WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE 1971 RIOT AT ATTICA, N.Y.

Abstract

THE 1971 TRAGEDY AT ATTICA HAS PROMPTED A CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER A POLICY OF FORCE OR RESTRAINT SHOULD BE USED TO SETTLE PRISON RIOTS. MANY PRISON ADMINISTRATORS MAINTAIN THAT RESTRAINT ENCOURAGES FURTHER RESISTANCE. THIS ARTICLE ANALYZES THE OFFICIAL POLICY, RESTRAINT OR FORCE, ADOPTED AT EACH NATIONALLY REPORTED PRISON RIOT SINCE THE CIVIL WAR. ACCORDING TO THIS HISTORICAL ANALYSIS, A POLICY OF RESTRAINT DOES NOT ENCOURAGE FURTHER REBELLION, AND IT IS ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN FORCE IN PRESERVING HUMAN LIFE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)