Why might a hostage-taker threaten harm?

The correct answer highlights a key motivation for many hostage-takers: the desire to elicit a specific response from authorities, such as law enforcement or correctional administration. By threatening harm, a hostage-taker can create a sense of urgency that compels negotiators or administrators to engage with them. This tactic is often used to leverage their position, prompting authorities to meet demands or negotiate terms that the hostage-taker believes will benefit them, such as improved conditions, the release of a fellow inmate, or other concessions.

In the context of hostage situations, threats are a critical tool for individuals seeking power in a dire circumstance. The psychological pressure exerted by these threats can manipulate the intended response from authorities, thereby increasing the hostage-taker's perceived control over the situation.