Conclusion: Dealing/ Solving Prison Riots

     In order to solve riots, it is important to review the different stages and dimensions in riots in prisons and take steps to solve the problems in each one. In the events before the riot, it is important to have advanced preparation for minimizing harm and controlled and measured responses. Because of the substandard facilities and overcrowding at Eastern State, the potential for harm and outbreak of riots was increased rather than decreased. Once the riot occurs, it is very important to notify the proper authorities and contain the riot itself. From the analysis of the different riots, it appeared that Eastern State was able to eventually contain and settle the riots. Solving prison riots, however, does not end when the riot stops. In order to insure that riots stop occurring, the problems in the aftermath must be addressed.
   The problems after the conclusion of a riot include: short term problems such as treating injured staff and inmates, medium-term problems, for example repairing damage to the physical plant, and long-term problems, which includes the contacting of policy makers to reform prisons. Based on literature published around the time of the general decline of Eastern State as a prison, prison reform was hampered by legislative, administrative, and judicial issues, such as lack of economic and political power of the inmates, lack of popularity in prison reform, and limits of relief that courts are allowed to give. As a result, prison reform struggled to make any significant strides and some of the problems present at Eastern State remain. In an article describing prison food and prison law in society today, the need for adequate food and using food as a means of cruel and unusual punishment are still problems. Until these problems are dealt with appropriately, food will continue to be a topic of debate in prisons and remain a potential threat to prison riots.