Prison violence is not merely an
individual failing but often a symptom of deeper structural problems.
Overcrowding, inadequate staffing, lack of mental health support, and poor
living conditions can contribute to an environment ripe for conflict and abuse.
Addressing these root causes is essential to creating safer spaces for both incarcerated
individuals and staff.
Here Are 10 Things You Should
Know:
1.
Reasons For Guards-On-Prisoners Violence, Beatings, Injuries, And Deaths
Power And Control
Some prison guards often resort to
violence as a means of establishing and maintaining power over incarcerated
individuals. This dynamic can create a toxic environment where abuse becomes a
tool for intimidation, fear, and control rather than rehabilitation.
Prisoner Riots
Riots can escalate tensions between
guards and prisoners, leading to violent confrontations. In these chaotic
scenarios, excessive force may be used under the pretext of restoring order.
Abusive Power
Dynamics
Some guards wield abusive power to
satisfy an insatiable need for dominance. This behavior may stem from character
flaws, lack of morals, and peer cultural acceptance that normalizes such
actions.
Burnout And
Emotional Instability
Burnout among prison staff is a
common issue. Overworked and undertrained guards may lack coping mechanisms,
leading to anger management issues that result in violent outbursts or worse.
Image Source: Pixabay
Dehumanization Of
Prisoners
A cultural mindset that sees
prisoners as less than human can lead to treatment that is worse than what
animals may receive. This dehumanization makes it easier for guards to justify their
violent actions.
2. Case In
Point: Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks, who was a transferred inmate to Marcy Correctional Facility from Mohawk Correctional Facility in New York, was horrifically tortured and beaten to death at Marcy Correctional Facility (on video and while handcuffed) by prison guards with their superiors and medical staff present and watching. This egregious incident has sent devastating shock waves throughout the world. The reasons for such violence by guards often remain undisclosed, especially when lawsuits are filed and settled without admission of wrongdoing. This senseless tragedy is shedding more light on the rampant, widespread, and often unreported issues of beatings, injuries, and deaths in prisons. Family members, loved ones, friends, and community members of Robert Brooks are courageously speaking out against what happened to him and demanding the arrests of all involved as well as bystanders who reportedly watched and did nothing to help Robert Brooks. There have been ongoing vigils, rallies, protests, press conferences, and prison advocates demanding “Justice For Robert Brooks”. Reportedly, the family is demanding prison reform and change to prevent what happened to Robert Brooks from happening to any other incarcerated individual and they have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit. To date, no arrests of the individuals involved have been made.
3.
Reasons
For Prisoner-On-Prisoner Violence
Power Struggles
Prisoners often engage in violence
to establish dominance within their groups or across racial and gang lines.
These struggles for control are not just about personal power but may often
stem from deeply ingrained hierarchies and allegiances that dictate survival in
prison. The quest to assert dominance often spirals into cycles of
intimidation, assaults, and retaliation, perpetuating a culture of fear and
hostility.
Resource
Competition
Limited resources like food and
hygiene products can lead to conflicts among incarcerated individuals. Some incarcerated
individuals can purchase items through commissary or approved vendors who mail
eligible products to them, or the prisoners may have supportive loved ones who
send them money to purchase items. Other prisoners may be dependent on the
limited number of items that correctional facilities provide. Whether an
incarcerated individual has resources or not, the idea of limited resources and
scarcity between incarcerated individuals may contribute to a competitive
environment over resources.
Retaliation And
Disrespect
Personal vendettas and perceived
disrespect are common triggers for violence. It’s important for prisoners to
learn the culture and environment they live in so that they can get a good idea
on what’s considered acceptable versus unacceptable behaviors among prisoners
when it comes to respect and disrespect among them. The consequences of
retaliation for disrespect are real among prisoners if various lines are
crossed without making respectful amends.
Mental Health
Issues
A significant number of prisoners
struggle with untreated mental health issues, which can exacerbate violent
tendencies. Some prisons have mental programs to address a prisoner’s mental
health needs, but not all have adequate mental health programs. Other prisons
have counselors and chaplains to help incarcerated individuals.
Image Source: Pixabay
Overcrowding And
Understaffing
Overcrowded prisons with
insufficient staff supervision create environments ripe for conflicts and
violent incidents. Many incidents are believed to be unreported or
underreported.
4.
Reasons
For Prisoner-On-Guards Violence
Retaliation
For Poor Treatment
When guards abuse their power,
prisoners may lash out in frustration, fear, or a desperate attempt to reclaim
a sense of dignity. Physical violence, verbal humiliation, and arbitrary
punishments from staff can create a toxic power dynamic that fosters resentment
among inmates. These abuses erode trust and exacerbate feelings of
helplessness, often leading to retaliation as prisoners feel they may not be
believed and have no other means of recourse. Acts of defiance can range from
verbal confrontations to coordinated resistance, and in extreme cases, riots or
targeted attacks.
Deprivation Of
Needs
Ongoing deprivation of basic needs,
such as proper food, medical care, and humane treatment, can push inmates to
retaliate violently. Incarcerated individuals may believe they have nothing to
lose if they’re deprived of basic living necessities.
Unfair Practices
Prisoners may react violently to
perceived injustices, such as denial of privileges or biased treatment. It may
be easy for an incarcerated individual to react inappropriately or violently
especially if that’s the way they’re treated or dealt with by prison guards,
staff, and others who are entrusted with their well-being.
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Image Source: Pixabay
Unreported And Swept-Under-The-Rug Incidents
Violence in prisons may often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation, systemic cover-ups, and the stigma associated with incarceration. Prison officials and staff may downplay incidents to protect their reputation, each other, or avoid lawsuits and consequences. Similarly, prisoners may avoid reporting abuse to prevent further harm or isolation.
5.
Why
People On The Outside Should Care
Taxpayer Costs
When lawsuits arise from prison beatings,
injuries, violence, and deaths, settlements are often paid using taxpayer
money. These funds could be better utilized for education, healthcare, or
prison reform.
Moral And Ethical
Responsibility
As a society, ignoring the
mistreatment of incarcerated individuals undermines the principle of human
dignity and justice for all. How can society claim it’s genuinely moral and
ethical if it ignores abuse, torture, mistreatment, beatings, injuries, and
deaths of anyone, including incarcerated individuals?
Community Safety
Prison violence perpetuates cycles
of trauma and violence that eventually spill into communities when inmates are
released. This is negative and counterproductive to maintaining a safe and
crime-free society.
Image Source: Pixabay
6.
What
Can Be Done To Address These Issues?
Advocacy And
Awareness
Family members, community agencies,
and advocates can:
• Start
petitions to demand justice and reform.
• Contact
prison wardens or governors to raise serious concerns.
• Organize
rallies and protests to bring attention to the issue.
• Create
ongoing measures to encourage continued awareness and keep injustices at the
forefront of the minds of supporters and others.
Legal Actions
Seeking the counsel of lawyers to
address specific cases of abuse, beatings, injuries, and suspicious deaths can help
to navigate through judicial processes, seek answers, and create
accountability. Dealing with stress and grief while taking legal action
requires adequate support and effective expertise.
Transparency And
Oversight
Prison officials should implement
measures to ensure transparency, such as independent oversight committees and
body cameras for guards who come into contact with incarcerated individuals.
This can potentially help both incarcerated individuals, prison guards, and
staff if cameras are “watching”, recording, and unaltered and unedited footage
is reviewed after reports are made and during investigations.
Improved Training
And Support For Guards
Providing guards with better
training in anger and stress management, emotional intelligence, and conflict
resolution can reduce incidents of violence. Providing resources for
constructive and non-harmful outlets for guards such as professional counseling
and therapy can also help.
Image Source: Pixabay
7.
Statistics On Violence In Prisons
• In
2020, over 2,000 inmate deaths in U.S. prisons were reported, with physical
violence accounting for a significant portion.
• Suicide
remains the leading cause of death in prisons, highlighting the mental health
crisis among inmates.
• A 2022 study found that nearly 20% of prisoners experience physical violence during incarceration.
8.
General Reasons For Prisoner Deaths (In No Particular Order)
1. Suicide
due to untreated mental health issues or hopelessness.
2. Physical
violence, including homicides, beatings and stabbings.
3. (Terminal)
illnesses exacerbated by inadequate medical care.
4. Poor
medical attention leading to preventable deaths.
5. Acute drug or alcohol related.
9.
Cultural And Systemic Problems In Prisons
Prisons often reflect broader
societal issues, such as systemic racism and inequality. Racial tensions among
inmates, biased treatment by guards, and overcrowded facilities are microcosms
of these larger problems.
10.
The Role Of Community In Prison Reform
Community involvement is crucial to
addressing prison violence. Families of incarcerated individuals, local
organizations, and policymakers must work together to:
• Advocate
for reform and policy changes.
• Support
rehabilitative programs.
• Demand
accountability and transparency in prison management.
Image Source: Pixabay
Conclusion
The disturbing stories of violence,
beatings, injuries, and deaths in prisons are not just about the incarcerated;
they reflect on society’s values and priorities. Addressing these issues
requires a realistic and collective effort from all stakeholders to ensure that
prisons serve as places of rehabilitation, not violence, punishment, torment,
and death.
References
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/robert-brooks-lawsuit-new-york-prison-guard-beating/
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/20/us/robert-brooks-death-prison-guards-arrested/index.html
https://study.com/academy/lesson/prison-violence-types-causes-statistics.html
https://vocal.media/criminal/10-horrifying-facts-about-life-in-angola-prison
https://cdn.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Deaths-in-prison-briefing.pdf
https://listverse.com/2013/03/15/10-horrifying-things-done-to-prisoners-behind-bars/