3. Prison Riot

Complete story — includes the ending

At the state penitentiary, a cafeteria scuffle turns into a riot that leaves two inmates dead, as one of them killed the other. The whole squad (except for Pembleton) starts to investigate, looking for the second killer, but no one – including several murderers apprehended in previous episodes – is willing to provide any information. Gee orders the detectives to drop the case, which leads to Howard covering for Bayliss and Kellerman as they continue their investigation. Bayliss concentrates on inmate Elijah Sanborn, a man who became a murderer to avenge his wife. Bayliss attempts to use the news of his son's recent arrest and a visitation from his daughter as leverage to get the facts. Sanborn confesses to the murder in hopes of reducing his son's sentence as part of a deal, but the truth comes out after a second assault occurs in the prison. A man who the detectives had put away for murdering his girlfriend tells them he attacked the killer they're looking for because the victim was his prison lover. Meanwhile, Pembleton begins target practice in hopes of qualifying on the firing range so he can return to full duty. His behavior tips Brody off that he stopped taking his medication. Guest stars: Charles S. Dutton as Elijah Sanborn, Dean Winters as Tom Marans In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode #32 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.