Introduction
According to Campbell (2014), an innate undergoes several assessment concerning his or her physical and mental health, program needs and custody level. Most importantly, inmates are evaluated base on his or her security level, whether he or she may be particularly vulnerable to a other inmates, or if he or she belongs to a security threat group (STG) that may pose future problem for the safety and stability of the correctional system. Most often, prison gangs are considered as a security threat group. These groups are known to take part in various activities that are against prison rules and are considered to be one of the most dangerous kinds of gangs there is (Holmes, Tewksbury, and Higgin, 2012).
Prison Gangs
Prison gangs are one of the most notorious gangs in America. They may be formed when street gang members are incarcerated, convicted and sentenced, or they may be created and structured by the inmates themselves (Holmes et al. 2012). They are considered a security threat because they have the tendency to become very violent not only towards rival inmates but also to the correctional staff. They are actively challenging authorities inside the correctional facility and are controlling other inmates everyday live. (Holmes et al. 2012). Prison gangs operate much like street gangs. Inside prisons, they are organized as a business operating under a cashless economy (Holmes et. al, 2012). Instead they may use of substitutes such as drugs and cigarettes, various privileges and services. Membership to prison gangs include protection and enhanced lifestyle inside prison. They are also known to threaten and assault prison staffs. The National Gang Crime Research Center projected that prison gangs are likely grow more as their population grow, and violent incidences will also get worse (Knox, 2005 as cited by Holmes et al., 2012).
Spergel (1995) contended that the formation of prison gangs can be attributed to various institutional inadequacies such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, violent gang leaders, competition and conflict among inmates and gangs, shortage of supplies, racism and even community and political problems outside prison. The correctional systems have taken several steps in analyzing and controlling STGs. Spergel (1995) argued that the first step in controlling STGs are to identify prison gang structures such as their leaders, members, various activities conducted inside prison and also connections outside. Identification has to be accurate and evidence-base because 1) it is unlawful to punish, or deprived inmates that have not underwent due process and proven guilty of breaking the rules of the prison, and 2) the correctional administration must be able to provide protection for vulnerable inmates such as those that are not members of prison gangs.
Approaches to Controlling STGs
Holmes et al. (2005) observed that the most common form of controlling gangs in prison are through segregation and dispersion, or the transferring of gang members in between prisons. However, these methods are generally ineffective. For instance, dispersion may not be possible for states or counties that have few correctional facilities. It is also important that correctional are institutionally sound to handle prison gangs and to systematically monitor their prisoners. For instance, staffs and warden must be equally sufficient with the number of prisoners, they must also provide increased awareness and close monitoring with the inmates activities (Spergel, 1995). Moreover, prisoner administrations must be able to legitimate their power over the prisoners to instigate conformity, and be able to contain violent behaviors or disturbances (Carrabine et al., 2009). In some cases, the loss of legitimacy results to violent riots.
Alternative approaches to controlling prison gangs are geared towards social development and improved interaction between prisoners and prison staffs (Spergel, 1995). Improving inmate’s environment such as their housing units, food and water sources, helps in dwindling down gang violence as it reduced deprivation, and may help in also reducing “exploitative relationships” (Feld, 1981 as cited by Spergel, 1995). Education, training and job opportunities must also be improved so that prisoners are adequately rehabilitated, and are motivated to do well inside prisons.
References
Carrabine, E., Cox, P., Lee, M., Plummer, K., & South, N. (2009). Criminology: A sociological introduction (2nd Editio). New York, NY: Routledge.
Campbell, T. (2014, April 7). Managing prison gangs/security threat groups. Corrections Connection Network News. Retrieved from http://www.corrections.com/news/article/35652-managing-prison-gangs-security-threat-groups
Holmes, R., Tewksbury, R., & Higgins, G. (2013). Prison gangs. In Introduction to gangs in america. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Spergel, I. (1995). The Youth Gang Problem. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press.
