Answer :
Final answer:
The primary cause of the New Mexico prison riot was insufficient staffing, which allowed tensions to escalate unmanageably. Other contributing factors included abuse of sensory deprivation cells, gang confrontations, and the 'snitch jacket' system. However, the lack of personnel was a key element in the riot's outbreak.
Explanation:
Leading Causes of the New Mexico Prison Riot
The number one leading cause of the New Mexico prison riot can be attributed to a combination of factors, but the most significant one identified was insufficient staff. This lack of personnel exacerbated existing tensions within the prison and heightened the vulnerability of both guards and prisoners.
Examples of the tension include:
- Abuse of the sensory deprivation cell: This method of punishment had been a point of contention among inmates, who felt it was used excessively and unjustly.
- Pitting gangs against each other in the yard: Gang rivalries were often encouraged unintentionally due to poor management, leading to violent encounters.
- The "snitch jacket" system: Those who were labeled as informants faced increased danger from fellow inmates, leading to heightened paranoia and violence.
However, the overarching issue of insufficient staff was what ultimately contributed to the chaos, as it allowed these factors to escalate without proper control or intervention.
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