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Reference: Blizzie
I think people think these attacks on notorious prisoners are motivated by some sort of high-minded vigilantism, whereas, in reality, it is probably more to do with a culture of mindless violence.
 As opposed to carefully considered vilunce
I know what you mean, though, and I agree. Just because Scum 1 gives Scum 2 a twotting, doesn't make Scum 1 any less scummy than before.
Demantoid
Reference Blizzie Today at 14:13:
 I think people think these attacks on notorious prisoners are motivated by some sort of high-minded vigilantism, whereas, in reality, it is probably more to do with a culture of mindless violence.
I don't think it is mindless. There's a tendency amongst criminals to, if not justify their crimes, at least try to convince themselves that they're not "bad people" by comparing themselves against other prisoners. It's like "Sure, I stabbed a couple of blokes, but at least I'm not a child killer: they're real scum." Dale Carnegie pointed out this sort of behaviour many years ago. Also, I'm sure Huntley's attacker had some delusion that he'd be celebrated as a hero for his actions.

It's linked to the attitude amongst prisoners that they've done their time: as if (as "Porridge" put it) prison is just "an occupational hazzard". They're not the real scum that has to be kept locked away indefinitely. In reality, no-one in a Category A prison is going to be anything remotely close to a minor criminal.



If you've ever seen the "Madometer" routine where Chris Morris set up "Mad" Frankie Frazer, you'll understand what I'm getting at here. Frazer was a nasty, violent man, but he could rationalize his behaviour by comparing it to others. "Grasses? Oh they're the lowest of the low." "So what about paedophiles?" "Oh, [pause] they're worse. they're even lower than grasses."...
Eugene's Lair

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