Prisons, Violence

Matthew Silberman

Prison violence occurs when prison inmates or personnel use, or threaten to use, physical force in violation of prison regulations and/or criminal law. Prison violence does not include the routine use of force by correctional officers in response to rule violations or disruptive behavior by inmates, although correctional officers sometimes “tune up,” or beat inmates who refuse to obey orders or threaten officers. Inmate violence may or may not involve the use of weapons. In maximum security prisons for men, fistfights are rare. Inmates frequently fashion homemade knives called “shivs” or “shanks,” or shape other objects such as broomsticks into weapons for self-protection. Incarcerated women are just as likely to fight as men, but they are ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.