For the second time two weeks, there has been a violent outbreak in a state prison in the U.S., which resulted in prisoners setting portions of the institutions ablaze, and in numerous injuries. This is a taste of things to come, unless the American people force an abrupt change in economic policy along the lines outlined by Lyndon LaRouche.

The latest incident occurred in Burgin, Kentucky at a medium security prison 30 miles from Lexington. Prisoners began to riot on Friday night, Aug. 21, and set fire to trash cans and other items, sufficiently damaging the prison to force evacuation of many of the facility's 1,200 prisoners. Six buildings were burned, including all but one of the dormitories.

While 8 inmates were injured, no deaths were reported. The only reason given for the outbreak was that the prison had been on lockdown for three days before, because of gang fighting.

Gang battles are also blamed for the outbreak of the riot and arson at the Chino, California medium security prison on August 8. In that case 250 inmates were injured, and the prison was out of control for 11 hours. California's prisons are known as literal death camps, due to overcrowding and lack of basic services, including medical care. A Federal judge just a few weeks ago, ordered a reduction in the prison population because lack of adequate medical care is leading to one unnecessary death per week.