7-1. In confinement facility disturbances, inmates employ a number of tactics to resist control or to achieve their goals. Tactics may be unplanned or planned and nonviolent or violent. When a disturbance carries many purposes, it is likely that their tactics are well planned.
NONVIOLENT TACTICS
7-2. Nonviolent tactics range from name-calling to building barricades. Inmates may attempt to distract control force members by shouting at or ridiculing them or by using abusive language, obscene remarks, taunts, and jeers. The inmates’ goals are to anger and demoralize the control force. They also want authorities to take actions that may later be exploited as acts of brutality.
VIOLENT TACTICS
7-3. Violent crowd tactics used by inmates are often extremely destructive and can include physical attacks on cadre, other inmates, and property. Use of violent tactics is limited only by the attitudes and ingenuity of the inmates, the training of their leaders, and the materials available to them. Inmates often commit violence with crude homemade weapons. If unplanned violence occurs, inmates will use mops, brooms, chairs, beds, or whatever else is on hand as weapons of violence. During planned violent disturbances, inmates can easily conceal makeshift weapons or tools to use against the control force. Inmates often erect barricades to impede troop movement and/or to prevent
the control force from entering certain areas or buildings. Inmates can be expected to vent their emotions on individuals (cadre or inmates), the control force, their equipment, and/or the institution’s property. Inmates direct dangerous objects like carts, barrels, liquids, and burning shoe polish at the control force.
GRIEVANCE PROTEST
7-4. A grievance protest may be organized as a riot. However, under normal circumstances, a riot of this type is not of an extremely violent nature. It may turn violent when leaders attempt to exploit any successes or weaknesses found in the control force.
UNORGANIZED RIOTS
7-5. Unorganized riots are characterized as being spontaneous in nature. However, they could be exploited and diverted by leaders at any subsequent stage of the riot, turning it into a different type. They may begin as an isolated assault against authority figures, or acts of civil disobedience. Under determined leadership, an unorganized riot could change to an organized riot.
MULTIPLE RIOTS
7-6. Multiple riots may happen when a disturbance occurs in one area of the confinement facility, causing others to riot in their areas. To control this situation with only one riot control force available, the force commander should first subdue the most violent riot. At the same time, he should employ some of his control forces to contain the other riots until the main control force is able to move to those locations to subdue them.
CADRE BEHAVIOR
7-7. The cadre is susceptible to crowd behavior. They become emotionally stimulated during tense confrontation with unruly and violent inmates. Commanders must be aware of the mood and attitude of the crowd and its effect on the control force cadre. To counteract the effects of crowd behavior on the cadre, the commanders must institute rigorous training and firm and effective leadership. This training must include a complete awareness and understanding of the use of force and the commander’s intent. These are all necessary to offset the effect of crowd contagion upon the control force. Even with the best training and leadership, control force members must exercise individual and collective restraint.
PLANNING
7-8. Preplanning is the preparation and training conducted before a crisis occurs. The purpose of preplanning is to have plans and standing operating procedures (SOPs) in place so the cadre may react to an emergency and successfully contain and neutralize the situation. The preplanning process includes plan development, intelligence gathering, and training.
NOTE: Intelligence gathering is essential for the successful containment, neutralization, and/or prevention of a riot.
7-9. Once the control force team has been alerted to a disturbance within the confinement facility, leaders further develop preplans to fit the situation much the same way that DOD develops war plans.
7-10. During the planning process, leaders must be aware of the potential risks involved in quelling disturbances within a confinement facility. Careful planning minimizes collateral damage and risks to control force members and hostages.
7-11. The use of NLW and NL munitions must also be considered when developing plans. There must be strict accountability and control of RCAs, their employment, and other appropriate NL means (such as high-pressure water hoses). When using RCAs, plans must be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the situation and weather because it impacts the effectiveness of some agents. Planners must also consider the—
z Location of the disturbance. z Estimated number of rioters.
z Accessibility of weapons, tools, or cleaning supplies. z Inmate’s military training.
z Hostage situation.
7-12. Based on an analysis of these factors, the commander makes an estimate of the situation. The estimate must be as thorough as time permits. Using the estimate, the commander considers COAs, selects RCAs, and determines the need for engineer support. In choosing a COA, consider the—
z Number of hostages.
z Number of inmates holding the hostages. z Leader.
z Attitude and demeanor of the rioters. z Location of the riot.
Inside areas of the confinement facility, such as the dining facility, work site, or housing wing.
Outside areas of the confinement facility, such as in exercise or work areas.
z Accessibility of weapons or material to make weapons.
z Accessibility of chemicals, such as cleaning supplies, cooking oils, and
shoe polish.