Ah, the wonderful hubris of keeping dangerous prisoners yet not properly considering just how dangerous they are. Arrogance can be the undoing of so many people, and so many situations.
As for retreat and staying alive, clearly concepts that need to be valued more highly. A brave final stand may sound heroic, and occasionally may even be justified, but surely live to fight another day is still a wise and sensible plan, and one that should be respected and embraced more widely? I am glad to see it is getting noticed.
As for splinters, well, they can be very nasty!