The inmate's career illustrates the efficacy of analyzing event sequences for three reasons: (1) temporal patterns often call attention to the effects of environmental changes which contribute to violence or ameliorate pressures to which the person reacts; (2) chronologies often point to time-bound internal states, such as tension, fear, and anxiety; and (3) time-bound reductions of aggression provide clues to the therapeutic impact of serendipitous experiences. The case study also shows that motives and dispositions of even patterned offenders can change over time. Treatment programs that seek to resocialize violence-prone inmates have been accused of serving prison rather than prisoner ends. Further, the sanction process is offense-centered rather than person-oriented, which means that underlying psychological patterns are not considered. In addition, the sanction process does not consider the impact of punishment on offenders, including the possibility that past punishment has only made the person's behavior worse. Prisons are unquestionably violent settings, and violence is further enhanced by the fact that peer status in the inmate culture often hinges on demonstrated bravery. The author suggests that, where misbehavior patterns are chronic, continued discipline is not necessarily an appropriate response. The treatment of violent inmates can be facilitated instead by group social support settings, behavioral strategies, and humane staff. 54 references.