Final answer:
Calvin's theoretical distinction of prisoners competing over killings during a riot delves into sociological and psychological behaviors shaped by dehumanizing conditions in prisons, reflecting historical debates on incarceration, rehabilitation, and the transformation of individual prisoners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to be inquiring about a hypothetical or theoretical scenario presented by 'Calvin' regarding prisoner behavior during a riot. Specifically, it asks why, according to Calvin's theory, prisoners might compete over the quantity and quality of killings during such an event. This could potentially be interpreted within a sociological or psychological framework, referencing theories such as those emerging from studies of prison life and behavior, like the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Phillip Zimbardo. In the broader context of prison history and theory, there is discussion about the purpose of penitentiaries to reform and redeem individuals through hard work, religious instruction, and isolation. Theories about prisoner behavior might, therefore, relate to the dehumanizing conditions that can foster competition or violence, as explored in studies of social violence such as the KKK's intimidation tactics or the psychological effects illustrated by Zimbardo's experiment, where participants quickly adopted aggressive and abusive roles.