As they say, one can judge a society by the way it treats its prisoners. If we use that criterion to analyze our nation, we might be given the death penalty. Last Saturday, inmates at a Southern California prison rioted for 11 hours straight—leaving 250 people injured and 30 hospitalized. The frequency of prison riots has only escalated over the years as inmate populations swell and conditions deteriorate.
The myth of incarceration is that it rehabilitates, that it removes societal menaces for the general public's well-being, and that it is a humane and effective approach to dealing with crime. It is not. America's entire prison industry borders on cruel and unusual punishment. But the U.S. is not alone in its addiction to lock-down. Prison riots occur often throughout the world, sometimes with even more devastating outcomes. Here's a look at some of the biggest prison riots in world history...
1. SÃO PAULO HOUSE OF DETENTION RIOTS; São Paulo, Brazil, 1992
Latin America's largest prison—built for 3,500 but housing 7,300—was the scene of the world's deadliest prison revolt. Brazil's military police didn't want to negotiate after rival gangs erupted into a three-hour riot. Police shot and killed 111 inmates—10 percent of the prison population. Human rights grouped blamed authorities for lacking restraint, pointing out that military police in Brazil are responsible for 20% of the country's annual homicides. "Can't tell the difference between the cops and the robbers, they both partners..."
