Prisons are intended to be places of rehabilitation and can
involve redemption and punishment, but unfortunately, prison corruption often arises within these institutions. From
violent attacks to corrupt officers, the world of prisons can be a shocking and
disturbing place. We're diving into the realm of prisons and uncovering some of
the biggest prison scandals and
controversies that have rocked the penitentiary world in this blog article
entitled, “5 Interesting And Shocking Prison Scandals And Controversies For
You To Know”.
If you're into prison scandals and
controversies, you may always be on the hunt for the latest jaw-dropping scandals,
and today, we've got a real doozy for you. Be prepared to be shocked and amazed
by the following dark underbelly of the prison world:
1.
Pennsylvania
Fight Club:
This one is a prisoner
abuse scandal that happened in 2011. The investigation revealed that the
fight clubs were not isolated incidents but part of a wider culture of abuse
and corruption within the state prison system. The guards who organized the
fights were using them not only as a form of entertainment but also to exert
control and intimidation over the prisoners.
In response to this scandal, the Pennsylvania Department of
Corrections has implemented several reforms, including increased monitoring and
training for guards, compulsory reporting of incidents of abuse, and the
installation of surveillance cameras in all areas of the prison.
2.
The
Stanford Prison Experiment:
The Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted by a psychology
professor named Philip Zimbardo along with his colleagues. The experiment was
designed to explore the effects of power and authority on human behavior in a
simulated prison environment. Zimbardo recruited 24 male college students,
paying them $15 per day to participate in the study.
The participants were divided into two groups - prisoners and
guards - and were randomly assigned their roles. The experiment was conducted
in a basement of the Stanford psychology department that had been converted
into a makeshift prison. The guards were given uniforms, sunglasses, and batons
to establish their authority, while the prisoners wore smocks and were referred
to only by their assigned numbers.
However, within a few days, the guards began exhibiting
increasingly cruel and sadistic behavior toward the prisoners. They conducted
frequent and humiliating searches, subjected the prisoners to forced exercise
and sleep deprivation, and even created a system of punishments and rewards.
Meanwhile, the prisoners became increasingly passive and submissive, exhibiting
signs of depression and anxiety.
The professor initially did not intervene to stop the abusive
behavior of the guards and only did so after a graduate student expressed
concerns about the ethical implications of the study. The experiment was
terminated after only six days, instead of the planned two weeks, due to the
severe psychological trauma experienced by the participants.
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay
3.
The
Attica Prison Riot:
Before the riot, Attica Correctional Facility was overcrowded
and understaffed, leading to poor living conditions for prisoners. Inmates were
also subjected to racial discrimination and brutality from some of the guards.
Many prisoners had grievances about their treatment and decided to take action.
On September 9, 1971, prisoners overpowered guards and took
control of a portion of the prison. They took hostages and demanded better
living conditions, medical care, and more lenient disciplinary measures.
Despite negotiations with state officials, the situation deteriorated, and
state police were brought in to regain control.
On September 13, the state police stormed the prison, leading
to a violent confrontation with the inmates. Tear gas and gunfire were used,
resulting in the deaths of both hostages and inmates. The aftermath of the riot
brought attention to the issue of prison reform and led to changes in the
treatment of inmates across the country.
4.
Goree
All-Girl String Band:
The Goree Girls' story began in the early 1940s when country
music was becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The women who would
eventually form the band were all inmates at the Goree Unit, a women's prison in Texas. They were
serving time for a variety of crimes, from theft to murder.
It was Reable Childs, a talented singer, and songwriter, who
came up with the idea to form a band. She believed that if they could become
famous, they might be able to earn early release. With the help of prison
officials, she recruited seven other women to join her in the Goree All-Girl
String Band.
The band began performing on a popular radio show called
"Thirty Minutes Behind the Walls," which was broadcast from the
prison. They played country and western music, with Childs on lead vocals and
the other women playing instruments like guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. They
quickly became a hit, earning legions of fans both inside and outside the
prison.
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay
Incredibly, Childs' plan worked. The women's newfound fame
caught the attention of music industry executives, who were impressed by their
talent and charisma. They offered to help the Goree Girls record a record, but
unfortunately, this never came to pass.
However, the women did see early release from prison thanks
to their musical success. After their release, they disbanded but continued to
perform occasionally at local events. Their story has since inspired books,
plays, and even a documentary film, ensuring that their legacy lives on.
5.
The
Rikers Island Scandal:
The incident in question occurred on November 30, 2016, when
a group of correction officers led by Jean Roston Souffrant forcibly entered
the cell of an inmate named Jahmal Lightfoot. The officers allegedly beat
Lightfoot for several minutes while he was restrained, causing him to suffer
multiple injuries and bruises. After the assault, the officers filed false
reports claiming that Lightfoot had attacked them and that they had acted in
self-defense. However, a video recording of the incident later surfaced,
contradicting their account.
The officers involved in the assault and subsequent cover-up
were eventually arrested and charged with various offenses including assault,
falsifying records, and obstructing justice. In 2018, Lightfoot was awarded $4
million.
The scandal prompted
Mayor Bill de Blasio to announce a series of reforms to improve conditions at
Rikers Island, including hiring more staff, increasing mental health services,
and reducing the use of solitary confinement.
Image Source: Pixabay
Conclusion
As you can see, some measures have been put in place to ensure that prisoners are safe. However, many advocates for prison reform argue that these measures do not go far enough and that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues of corruption and abuse within the prison system.
They argue that the root causes of these problems lie in overcrowding, poor working conditions for guards, and a lack of accountability for those in positions of authority. Overall, these scandals and controversies highlight the urgent need for better reform in the country's prison system, not only to protect prisoners from abuse but also to address the underlying issues that contribute to the culture of violence and corruption within these institutions.
References
1. https://www.simplypsychology.org/zimbardo.html
2. https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-crazy-prison-stories