Prison riot explained

A prison riot is an act of concerted defiance or disorder by a group of prisoners against the prison administrators, prison officers, or other groups of prisoners.

Academic studies of prison riots emphasize a connection between prison conditions (such as prison overcrowding) and riots,[1] [2] [3] or discuss the dynamics of the modern prison riot.[4] [5] In addition, a large proportion of academic studies concentrate on specific cases of prison riots.[6] [7] [8] Other recent research analyzes and examines prison strikes and reports of contention with inmate workers.[9]

Prison conditions

In the late 20th century, the analyses and conclusions presented to account for prison disturbances and riots began to shift and change based upon new studies and research. Initially, prison riots were considered irrational actions on the behalf of the prisoners. Nevertheless, there has been a shift in the form of explanation as external conditions like overcrowding are promoted by authorities as possible sources of causation.[10]

List of notable prison riots

The list does not include prisoner-of-war camps.

EventDateLocationdata-sort-type=numberDeath tollNotesRef.
1929, October 3Colorado State Penitentiary, Cañon City, Colorado, United States13 (5 inmates, 8 guards)A majority of the physical plant was destroyed during the riot.[11]
Battle of Alcatraz1946, May 2–4Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, United States5
1954, August 14Kingston Penitentiary, Kingston, Ontario, Canada0Two-hour riot involving 900 inmates. Breakout attempt was foiled. Several buildings set on fire. $2 million in damages. 160 troops and a squad of police responded.
1954, September 22Missouri State Penitentiary, Jefferson City, Missouri, United States 4 inmates29 injured, including 4 guards[12]
Montana State Prison Riot1959, April 16–18Montana State Prison, Montana, United States 3
1958, July 31Shita prison, Harod Valley, Israel13 (2 jailors and 11 inmates)The most deadly prison riot in the history of Israel. The prisoners, most of them were Palestinian Fedayeen, assaulted the prison's duty officer, took control of the armory, and fought against the police reinforcements who arrived to the scene in order to suppress the rebellion.[13] [14]
Pulau Senang prison riot1963, July 12Pulau Senang, Singapore4 prison officers[15]
Kingston Penitentiary riot1971, April 14Kingston Penitentiary, Kingston, Ontario, Canada2 inmates
1971, August 10Idaho State Penitentiary, Boise, Idaho, United States1 inmate2 buildings destroyed, in March 1973 another riot that left multiple buildings destroyed.[16]
San Quentin 1971 riot1971, August 21San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, California, United States6Riot between Black Guerrilla Family and Mexican Mafia
Attica Prison riot1971, September 9–13Attica Correctional Facility, Attica, New York, United States43
1973, July 27Oklahoma State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma, United States3 inmates21 injured, 24 buildings were damaged and only 4 buildings were left usable. Over $25 million in damages[17]
August Rebellion1974, AugustBedford Hills Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, New York, United States0Prisoners held 7 guards hostage and controlled parts of the prison for 2.5 hours. Twenty-five women were injured and twenty-four women were transferred to the Matteawan Complex for the Criminally Insane.[18] [19]
New Mexico State Penitentiary riot1980, February 2–3Penitentiary of New Mexico, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States33Over 200 injured
Welikada prison massacre1983, July 25+27Welikada Prison, Sri Lanka56 (53 inmates and 3 officers)
Fremantle Prison riot1988, January 14Fremantle prison, Fremantle, Australia0Prisoners created a fire and 5 officers were taken hostage. The fire caused $1.8 million in damage and unintentionally prevented the planned escape
1988, July 20Centro Penitenciario, Michoacán, Mexico10 inmates13 injured[20]
Atlanta prison riots1987, NovemberUnited States Penitentiary, Atlanta and Federal Detention Center, Oakdale, United States1250 injured
1989 Davao hostage crisis1989, August 13–15Davao Metrodiscom, Davao City, Philippines21 (5 hostages and 16 prisoners)
Leopoldov prison uprising1990, MarchLeopoldov Prison, Leopoldov, Slovakia1 inmate40 injured (11 prison officers, 29 inmates)[21]
1990 Strangeways Prison riot1990, April 1–25Strangeways Prison, Manchester, England1 inmate194 injured (147 prison officers, 47 inmates), 25-day prison riot
Carandiru massacre1992, October 2Carandiru Penitentiary, São Paulo, Brazil111
1990, JuneRobinson Correctional Institution, Enfield, Connecticut, United States 0300 to 400 inmates set fire to the mess hall and gymnasium[22]
1993, Easter SundaySouthern Ohio Correctional Facility, Scioto County, Ohio, United States10 (9 inmates, 1 officer)
1994, July 12Robinson Correctional Institution, Enfield, Connecticut, United States 2 inmates37 injured (35 inmates, 2 correctional officers)
Prison Six rebellion1997, August 9Prison Six, near Atlit, Israel0The most famous case of a military prison riot in Israel, started by three imprisoned soldiers who demanded more humane treatment from the staff. The rebellion changed the military police's approach to its prison service sector and led to improvements in the physical structure of military prisons, as well as in conditions for both jail instructors and prisoners.[23]
Kalutara prison riots1997, December 12Kalutara, Sri Lanka3
Bindunuwewa massacre2000, October 24Bindunuwewa, Sri Lanka26
2001, MayCentro de Cumplimiento Peniteciario, Iquique, Chile28+150 injured[24]
2002, January 2Urso Branco prison, in Porto Velho, Brazil40[25]
2003, April 5El Porvenir prison, La Ceiba, Honduras69[26]
2004, May 16El Porvenir prison, La Ceiba, Honduras86 inmates[27]
2004, May 29–31Benfica prison, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil38[28]
2004, August 19La Esperanza prison, San Salvador, El Salvador3124 injured[29]
2004, December 17Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Kabul, Afghanistan8 (4 inmates, 4 guards)[30]
2005, JanuaryCamp Bucca, Umm Qasr, Iraq4 inmates6 injured
2005, March 15Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, Philippines23 (22 inmates, 1 officer)Almost all Abu Sayyaf members who rose up, including several leaders, were killed[31]
2005, AugustPavón Prison / Granja Pino Canada / El Hoyon, Guatemala35[32]
2006, FebruaryNorth County Correctional Facility, Castaic, California, United States1 inmate100+ injured
2006, February 26Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Kabul, Afghanistan7+[33]
2007, January 7Apanteos jail, near Santa Ana, El Salvador21[34]
2007, DecemberSanta Ana prison, San Cristobal, Tachira, Venezuela30 inmates
2008, March 28Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers, Live Oak County, Texas, United States1 inmate22 injured[35]
2008, April 20United States Penitentiary, Florence High, Florence, Colorado, United States2 inmatesA large scale race riot erupted between white supremacist inmates and black inmates, resulting in 2 deaths and 5 serious injuries. [36]
2008, October 20Cedes prison, Reynosa, Mexico21+8 injured[37]
2009 Ciudad Juárez prison riot2009, March 4CERESO state prison, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico2015 injured
2010, May 5Santa Ana prison, San Cristobal, Tachira, Venezuela83 injured[38]
2011, October 15Matamoros prison, Matamoros, Mexico2012 injured[39]
Altamira prison brawl2012, January 4Cereso de Altamira, Altamira, Mexico3113 injured
Apodaca prison riot2012, February 19Apodaca, Mexico4412 injured
2012, May 20Adams County Correctional Facility, Natchez, Mississippi, United States1 guard7 injured[40]
Yare prison riot2012, August 20Yare Prison near Caracas, Venezuela2543 injured
2012 Welikada prison riot2012, November 9–10Welikada Prison, Sri Lanka2740 injured
2013 Uribana prison riot2013, January 25Uribana prison, Barquisimeto, Venezuela61120 injured
2013 Palmasola prison riot2013, August 23Palmasola, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia3137 injured
2015, January 4Brandvlei Maximum Correctional Centre, Western Cape, South Africa1 inmate death, at least 6 injuredPrison gangs attacked a warder, followed by retaliation from authorities.[41] [42] [43]
Kaohsiung Prison riot2015, February 11–12Kaohsiung, Taiwan6 (suicide)
Topo Chico prison riot2016, February 10–11Topo Chico prison, Monterrey, Mexico52+12 injured
2016, July 19Pavón Prison, Fraijanes, Guatemala13[44]
2016 New Bilibid Prison riot2016, September 28New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa, Philippines14 injured
Agricultural Penitentiary of Monte Cristo riot2016, October 16Agricultural Penitentiary of Monte Cristo, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil25 inmates
2017, January 1Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex, Amazonas, Brazil60+[45]
2017, January 2Prison Unit of Puraquequara, Manaus, Brazil10[46]
2017, January 6Agricultural Penitentiary of Monte Cristo, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil37[47]
2017, January 8Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa jail, Manaus, Brazil4[48]
2017, January 15Natal State Prison, Natal, Brazil279 injured[49]
2017, February 1James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, New Castle County, Delaware, United States1 officer[50]
2017, May 15Buimo prison, Lae, Papua New Guinea17[51]
2017, June 7Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, Philippines217 injured[52]
2017, July 6Las Cruces prison, Acapulco, Mexico28[53]
2017, August 11Cedes prison, Reynosa, Mexico911 injured[54]
2017, October 11Cadereyta prison, Nuevo León, Mexico13[55]
Lee Correctional Prison Riot2018, April 15Lee Correctional Institution, Bishopville, South Carolina, United States7[56]
2019, May 20Vahdat prison, Vahdat, Tajikistan32[57]
Acarigua prison riot2019, May 24Police station cellblocks in Acarigua, Venezuela2919 injured
July 2019 Cameroon prison riots2019, July 22–24Kondengui Central Prison and Buea prison, CameroonUnknownUnknown
2019 Altamira prison riot2019, July 29Centro de Recuperação Regional de Altamira prison, Altamira, Brazil62
2019, December 23El Porvenir prison, La Ceiba, Honduras18
Cieneguillas prison riots2019, December 31Cieneguillas Regional Center for Social Reintegration, Cieneguillas, Mexico16 inmates5 injured
Cieneguillas prison riots2020, January 2Cieneguillas Regional Center for Social Reintegration, Cieneguillas, Mexico1 inmate5 injured
2020, March 8–9Sant'Anna prison, Modena, Italy8 inmatesAccording to Modena's magistrature, all 8 deaths were caused by methadone and benzodiazepine overdose. The substances were looted from Sant'Anna's pharmacy.Modena's Procura requested the dismissal of all deaths on 3 March 2021.[58]
Bogotá prison riot2020, March, 22La Modelo prison, Bogotá, Colombia2390 injured[59]
2020, March 30Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz, Iran18[60]
2020, March 31Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, Irandata-sort-value="0"Unknown[61]
Guanare prison riot2020, May 1Los Llanos prison, Guanare, Venezuela4775 injured[62]
February 2021 Ecuadorian prison riots2021, February 24Regional & Penitenciaría del Litoral, Guayaquil; Cárcel de Turi, Cuenca; Centro de Rehabilitación Social Sierra Norte Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Ecuador79Coordinated riot as a result of a drug turf war. Eighteen beheadings and at least one prisoner had his heart cut out.[63]
September 2021 Guayaquil prison riot2021, September 29Penitenciaría del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador123Coordinated riot as a result of a drug turf war.[64]
November 2021 Guayaquil prison riot2021, November 13Penitenciaría del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador6825 Injured [65]
2022, January 25Social Rehabilitation Center (Cereso) Colima, Mexico9[66]
Battle of al-Hasakah (2022)2022, January 20–30Al-Sina'a prison, Al-Hasakah, Syria507Large-scale Islamic State attack and prison riot aimed at freeing arrested fighters of the Islamic State.
Tuluá prison riot2022, June 28Tuluá prison, Tuluá, Valle del Cauca, Colombia52[67]
2023, January 1CERESO state prison, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico14 (4 inmates, 10 guards)[68]
2023, February 9Hatay Closed Prison, Hatay Province, Turkey3Three inmates were killed and 12 more injured after soldiers opened fire during a riot. The prisoners were demanding to see their families affected by the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.[69]
Támara prison riot2023, June 20Women's Center for Social Adaptation, Támara, Honduras46+A conflict presumed to be between MS-13 and Barrio 18 killed 46 people, after a riot caused a major fire.[70]
2023, August 7Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre, Limpopo, South AfricaAt least 1 died in fire, 2 hospitalizedThe fire was allegedly started by rioting prisoners after grievances about conditions and ill-treatment fell on deaf ears. (Prison managed by South African Custodial Management, a public-private partnership.)[71]

Gulag uprisings

See main article: List of uprisings in the Gulag.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Bidna . Howard . 1975-03-01 . Effects of increased security on prison violence . Journal of Criminal Justice . 3 . 1 . 33–45 . 10.1016/0047-2352(75)90097-5 . 0047-2352.
  2. Ellis . Desmond . Sep 1984 . Crowding and Prison Violence: Integration of Research and Theory . Criminal Justice and Behavior . en . 11 . 3 . 277–308 . 10.1177/0093854884011003003 . 0093-8548.
  3. Gaes . Gerald G. . 1994 . Prison Crowding Research Reexamined . The Prison Journal . en . 74 . 3 . 329–363 . 10.1177/0032855594074003004 . 0032-8855.
  4. Useem, B. (1985). Disorganization and the New Mexico prison riot of 1980. American Sociological Review, 50 (5). 677–688.
  5. Newbold, G. (1989). Punishment and Politics: The Maximum Security Prison in New Zealand. Auckland: Oxford University Press.
  6. Colvin, M. (1982). The 1980 New Mexico prison riot. Social Problems, 29 (5). 449–463.
  7. Useem, B. and Kimball, P. (1987). A theory of prison riots. Theory and Society, 16 (1). 87–122.
  8. Dinitz, S. (1991). Barbarism in the New Mexico state prison riot: The search for meaning a decade later. In Kelly, R. and MacNamara, D. (eds.). Perspectives on Deviance: Dominance, Degradation and Denigration. Cincinnati: Anderson Publishing Company.
  9. Web site: Maintenance | Cairn International.
  10. Ellis, D. (1984). Crowding and prison violence: Integration of research and theory. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 11 (3). 277–308.
  11. Web site: Prison outbreak worst in history. coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. 21 May 2020.
  12. Web site: The 1954 Riot at Missouri State Penitentiary. missouripentours.com. 26 December 2021.
  13. Web site: Palestinian inmate badly wounded in northern Israel prison fire. jpost. 14 June 2016. 26 March 2024.
  14. https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1958/08/08/01/article/91?&dliv=none&e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1&utm_source=he.wikipedia.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=%22%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%93+%D7%94%D7%90%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D+%D7%91%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%90+%D7%A9%D7%98%D7%94%22&utm_content=itonut The full story of Shita's prison riot
  15. Web site: A Forgotten Past – 'Prison on Fire' at Pulau Senang. remembersingapore. 26 July 2013. 18 May 2020.
  16. Web site: Idaho inmates riot: destroy 2 buildings. NYTimes. 11 August 1971. 26 December 2021.
  17. Web site: The Story Behind This Oklahoma State Penitentiary Riot Is Truly Disturbing. onlyinyourstate. 12 August 2016. 19 May 2020.
  18. News: Metropolitan Briefs - 45 Women Inmates in Disturbance . . 30 Aug 1974 . 13 Jul 2021.
  19. Web site: Nor Meekly Serve Her Time: Riots and Resistance in Women's Prisons. newpol.org. 12 January 2010 . 2017-03-22.
  20. Web site: Inmates at a prison in central Mexico took guns.... upi. 21 July 1988. 18 May 2020.
  21. Web site: Vzpoura vězňů v Leopoldově před 20 lety: plamenomety a barikády ve věznici . iDNES.cz . 18 June 2019 . 14 March 2010.
  22. Web site: Robinson Correctional Institution Profile and Valuable Information. golookup. 18 May 2020.
  23. Gili Cohen, 20 Years After Infamous Military Prison Revolt, Reform Still Proves Hard Sell in Israeli Army, Haaretz, September 13th 2017
  24. Web site: At least 28 die in Chile prison riot fire. CNN. 21 May 2001. 18 May 2020.
  25. Web site: 40 believed dead in Brazilian prison riot. The Guardian. 3 January 2002. 13 December 2021.
  26. Web site: Honduras rioters back in prison. CNN. 7 April 2003. 18 May 2020.
  27. Web site: Honduran Prison Riot Leaves 86 Dead. CNN. 17 May 2004. 18 May 2020.
  28. Web site: 38 dead in Brazil in brutal prison riot. cbc.ca. 1 June 2004. 13 December 2021.
  29. Web site: El Salvador prison riot kills 31. news.bbc.co.uk. 19 August 2004. 19 May 2020.
  30. Web site: 8 Are Killed as Inmates Try to Escape Kabul Prison. The New York Times. 18 December 2004. 19 May 2020.
  31. Web site: Punay. Edu. 16 March 2005 . Troops storm jail; 23 dead. 2 July 2023 . Philstar.com. en-US.
  32. Web site: The Worst Prison Riots of All Time. worldatlas. 8 March 2019. 18 May 2020.
  33. Web site: Inmates riot in Afghanistan prison. CNN. 26 February 2006. 19 May 2020.
  34. Web site: El Salvador jail rioters kill 21. news.bbc.co.uk. 7 January 2007. 19 May 2020.
  35. Web site: Gang riot at Three Rivers prison leaves inmate dead. Chron. 29 March 2008. 19 May 2020.
  36. Web site: Racist Prison Riot on Hitler's Birthday. 2022-02-03. Southern Poverty Law Center. en.
  37. Web site: At least 21 dead in Mexico prison riot. chinadaily. 20 October 2008. 21 May 2020.
  38. Web site: Venezuela's Santa Ana Prison riot leaves eight inmates dead. news.com.au. 5 May 2010. 19 May 2020.
  39. Web site: Mexico prison fight kills 20 in Matamoros. BBC. 15 October 2011. 21 May 2020.
  40. Web site: Guard killed, several others injured in riot at Mississippi prison, officials say. CNN. 21 May 2012. 19 May 2020.
  41. News: 2016-11-24 . The Rottweiler, the Warders, the Dead Inmate and the Video Footage that spurred a Judge to action . Daily Maverick .
  42. News: 2016-11-21 . Prison gang violence leaves Brandvlei warders traumatised - expert . News24 .
  43. News: 2023-02-08 . Four Correctional Services officials appear in court — eight years after the killing of a prisoner . Daily Maverick .
  44. Web site: Thirteen Killed in Guatemala Prison Riot: Reports. news18. 19 July 2016. 23 May 2020.
  45. Web site: Dozens killed in prison riot in Brazil city of Manaus. aljazeera. 2 January 2017. 19 May 2020.
  46. Web site: 10 die in new Brazilian prison riot. gantdaily. 14 January 2017. 19 May 2020.
  47. Web site: In Brazil, prison riots and killings expose the structural failures of mass incarceration. penalreform.org. 28 March 2018. 19 May 2020.
  48. Web site: New Brazil prison clash leaves at least four dead in Amazon region. reuters. 8 January 2017. 19 May 2020.
  49. Web site: Death toll from Brazil jail riot at 27, nine injured. reuters. 15 January 2017. 19 May 2020.
  50. Web site: 16 inmates charged with murder in Delaware prison riot. 6abc. 17 October 2017. 19 May 2020.
  51. Web site: Seventeen killed in mass prison break in Papua New Guinea. BBC. 15 May 2017. 21 May 2020.
  52. Web site: 2 inmates dead, 17 wounded in riot during protest over power outage in Camp Bagong Diwa jail. interaksyon. 7 June 2017. 19 May 2020.
  53. Web site: Mexico violence: 28 dead in prison fight in Acapulco. BBC. 6 July 2017. 23 May 2020.
  54. Web site: 9 inmates killed in Reynosa prison riot. mexiconewsdaily. 11 August 2017. 21 May 2020.
  55. Web site: Mexico prison riot leaves 13 dead. BBC. 11 October 2017. 23 May 2020.
  56. Web site: Who are the seven inmates killed at Lee Correctional Institution?. wistv. 16 April 2018. 19 May 2020.
  57. Web site: Islamic State prison riot in Tajikistan leaves 32 dead. telegraph.co.uk. 20 May 2019. 23 May 2020.
  58. Web site: 3 March 2021. 8 morti in rivolta a Modena, chiesta archiviazione. 8 dead in Modena riot, dismissal requested. ANSA. IT.
  59. Web site: Riot in Colombia prison leaves 23 dead: government. thejakartapost. 23 March 2020. 19 May 2020.
  60. Web site: Dozens Killed In Iran Prison Riots, Local Reports Say. iran-hrm. 2 April 2020. 19 May 2020.
  61. Web site: Inmates' families kept in the dark following prison riots in southwest Iran. iran-hrm. 5 April 2020. 19 May 2020.
  62. Web site: Venezuela prison riot death toll rises to 47, report NGO and official. malaymail. 3 May 2020. 19 May 2020.
  63. Web site: Ecuador Raises Death Toll From Prison Riots to 79; Police Chief Warns of New Riot. usnews.com. 24 February 2021. 27 Feb 2021.
  64. Web site: (En vivo) Presidente Guillermo Lasso ofrece rueda de prensa sobre situación carcelaria tras masacre en Penitenciaría del Litoral. es. El Universo. 29 September 2021. 29 September 2021.
  65. Web site: Dozens of inmates killed in latest Ecuador prison clashes. Al Jazeera. 13 November 2021. 13 November 2021.
  66. Web site: 9 dead, 7 injured as inmates riot inside Mexican prison. ABC News. 26 January 2022. 26 January 2022.
  67. Web site: Death toll rises to 52 in southwestern Colombia prison riot. thelocalread.com. 28 June 2022. 28 June 2022.
  68. Web site: 14 killed in attack on prison in Mexico border city .
  69. Web site: Three inmates killed in prison riot in Turkey's quake-hit Hatay. duvarenglish.com. 9 February 2023. 9 February 2023.
  70. News: 2023-06-20 . Honduras prison violence: At least 41 killed in women's jail riot . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-06-20.
  71. News: 2023-08-11 . One dead and two injured in Limpopo prison riot . Ground Up .

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