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Deadly force may be considered appropriate in the context of preventing a riot primarily because of the potential for significant harm to staff, inmates, and the public if a violent situation escalates. Riots can lead to mass injuries or fatalities, and when non-lethal measures have failed or are inadequate to control a potentially lethal situation, the use of deadly force may be seen as a last resort to protect lives and maintain order within a correctional facility. This rationale hinges on the principle of proportionality where the response must align with the imminent threat to life or serious injury posed by the riot.

In the other scenarios, the perceived threat or situation does not align with the thresholds typically established for the use of deadly force. For instance, preventing a minor escape does not equate to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Similarly, responding to verbal threats involves a different dynamic that generally does not justify the use of lethal force, and enforcing administrative orders typically requires compliance without resorting to deadly measures unless a life-threatening situation arises.