A Regular Riot
Like everyone else this afternoon, I was paying attention to the riot at New Castle prison, albeit from the perspective of a journalist/news commentator, but paying attention nonetheless. I was shocked and surprised about a riot at an Indiana Correction center, even though these things happen in prisons all the time. However, I have to say, if you have to deal with a riot, the one at New Castle is about as good as you can get.
For the all the hoopla, the fact that only a handful of inmates and two correctional employees were hurt was impressive. And most of the inmates’ injuries were due to the tear gas; breathing disorder, etc. And as far as Indiana prison riot history goes, this one was a walk in the park.
Take a gander at the following according to the Department of Corrections and Governor’s Office.
1985 – Pendleton Correctional Facility (then Indiana Reformatory), riot. Offenders take over cell house, take several hostages. Situation resolved by negotiations.
1989 – Reception Diagnostic Center, Plainfield, disturbance. Offenders take over cell house. Situation resolved by tactical intervention. Emergency Squads use chemical agents.
1991 – Plainfield Correctional Facility, disturbance. Offenders take over the recreation field. Situation resolved by negotiations.
1992 – Correctional Industrial Facility, hostage taking. One offender takes one staff member hostage. Situation ends when offender is shot by Special Emergency Response Team marksman.
1994 – Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, hostage taking. Offender takes hostage in medical unit using a pen. Situation resolved by negotiations.
2001 – Westville Correctional Facility, disturbance. Two staff members barricaded themselves in the officer’s restroom of the control pod when offenders took over the housing unit.
2003 – Indiana State Prison, disturbance. Offenders refuse to lock down on ranges. Resolved by tactical intervention, Emergency Squads use chemical agents.
I don’t think privatization or out-of-state inmates were responsible for those riots. Now there will be those who claim this riot was the result of privatization and the importation of out-of-state bad boys. Allow me to respectfully disagree. This riot was the result of prison inmates behaving badly, plain and simple.
We can talk about how to avoid future situations and whether prison officials responded accordingly. But at least, let’s keep the debate honest.
