Who's Causing Chaos in Prisons?

Did you know that in prisons across the U. S. , a small group of inmates is responsible for most of the trouble? According to a recent study, around 20% of prisoners cause about 90% of all rule breakings and write-ups. This is similar to the 80/20 rule, where 80% of outcomes come from just 20% of inputs. So, who are these problematic prisoners? They tend to be younger, black, and have a history of committing violent crimes. They often have mental health issues like personality disorders or ADHD. These high-rate offenders also often use drugs before their arrest and live in state facilities.Interestingly, this pattern holds true for both male and female inmates. The study found that these chronic offenders have a significant impact on the prison environment. They make life tough not just for other inmates but also for the staff. The study also suggests that future research should look into specific types of misconduct, different periods of incarceration, and how prison management and security levels affect these issues.