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The experiment was testing an uncontrolled variable with independent variables introduced that are little, if at all, like the real-life ones to which they correspond. Prisoners were forced to wear womens' clothing and not allowed to wear underwear, they could not use their names, they were blindfolded, and were not allowed to engage in activities that normal prisoners would be allowed to. Zimbardo directed the experiment toward the result he wanted by acting as the head of the prison and instructing participants to act like theri preconcieved notions of what guards and prisoners were like rather than recieving training.
It is highly unlikely that a controlled experiment would yield results similar to Zimbardo's. I consider the Milgram experiment to be a much better measure of human capacity for cruelty and willingness to submit to authority.
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