A Study of Gangs and How They Influence Violence in Jails

Correctional facilities are experiencing the affect of gangs and their influence on violence. Most of prison violence has been made up of folklore blaming guards. Inmate to inmate assaults are calculated to 28 attacks per 1,000(Clear, Cole, Reisig pg.281). These violent actions are directly related with gangs. Membership within correctional institutions has nearly tripled since 1991. Incarceration only has a minimal ability to disrupt violent activities related with gangs. Affiliation of gangs increases the probability of violence and other forms of prison mis-behavior. Prison gangs are defined as “An organization which operates within the prison system as a self perpetuating criminally oriented entity, consisting of a select group of inmates who have established an organized chain of command and are governed by an established code of conduct(Peterson,pg.159). These gangs are also referred to as security threat groups. These groups make it very difficult for staff to maintain a level of control.

Street wars come from the outside and filter their way inside institutions. Gangs are ahead of an institutions drugs, gambling, loan-sharking and other violations of prison rules(Walker,Katz 86) Most prison violence is a normal part of coping with the status hierarchies and gangs in prison. Estimates are around 26,000 serious assaults occur each year(Lane & Meeker pg.515). Prison gangs usually have tighter “blood in and blood out†rituals as compared to street gangs. These gangs contain tighter loyalties, and are able to arrange a meeting for the killing of someone in or outside of the prison fences. These killings can be ordered between different facilities by letters that contain codes. Out of all prison violence, gangs are responsible for nearly 85 %. Racial or ethnic groups dominate inmate gangs all across our nations prison society.There are five major prison gangs that are considered traditional. These prison gangs are:

1. Aryan Brotherhood
2. Black Guerilla Family
3. La Nuestra Familia
4. Mexican Mafia
5. Texas Syndicate. These gangs formed around the 1960s and 1970s(Fedarko, pg.42). They were created in the California corrections system. Inmates created these alliances for protection from inmates, other gangs and inmate predators.

The reputation that follows these gangs is described by viciousness and violence. These Reputations are used to maintain power and control over the inmate population.Our country is under a flourish of prison gangs. These gangs are described as organized, stealthy and deadly(Clear,Cole,Reisig, pg.283). Their control is growing beyond the prison yard and is controlling crime on the streets. To be initiated in some gangs a would-be member may have to stab an enemy to gain initiation. Members can not drop out without putting their life in danger. The racial and ethnic foundations of these gangs creates violence that can easily fall into the prison population. Lifelong membership is a desire for many of these groups. The oaths extend leadership and membership outside the system and into lucrative drug trade and other sources of crime.Racial problems are a source for violence that cripples the prison system. The issue of race has slowly taken over the main disruption in prison.

Attitudes have been plagued with racism. This has become part of certain inmate codes. An act of violence towards another race by an inmate may only be as simple as dealing with the aggressions of prison life . Inmates are forced to live with a diverse amount of races while under lock up. Indirectly this increases the likelihood of joint groups and acts of violence. The presence of gangs have been made along strict racial lines that stirs up tension between opposing groups. The death of James Byrd Jr. is an example of these racial killings. This man was dragged to death linking the two killers to a racially charged prison gang(Muraskin,Roberts pg. 34).

Some authorities and inmates dismiss these so called rumors. This murder took place only after a San Antonio Jury indicted 16 members of The Mexican Mafia for ordering the deaths of five inmates within prison institutions(Muraskin, Roberts pg. 35). The amount of power these groups have and the destruction they can cause id almost unimaginable. Offenses dealing with violence are not solely between conflicting gangs, but are also inflicted on guards and staff.Staff members are threatened on a daily basis but every now and then they are faced with a physical altercation. Our mass media focuses mainly on riots where guards are taken hostage, beatened and eventually killed. This type of violence only occurs under detailed situations and have specific planning. Annually there are about 18,000 violent assaults inflicted upon staff(Fedarko, pg.83). Officers are not allowed to maintain a weapon on their person, in fear that an inmate may be tempted to take it. Situation like that may lead to riots or a brutal beating on an officer. Aside from physical injury, attacks on officers lessens their position of authority. After an altercation administrators tend to be transferred to tower duty. Surprise attacks are an officials biggest nightmare. Constantly being aware of these attacks causes stress and keeps officers at a distant from inmates.Out of 143,000 inmates in Texas 5, 000 have been identified members(Wallace,S. 2001)Prisons are not becoming overly infested, but those who have set up organizations are very well structured. The majority of inmates come from the streets with some form of street gang membership.

Relationships of these types are the norm created by the environment they grew up in. Texas has retaliated more harshly than many other states when dealing with infractions by gang members. Violators are isolated and placed into lockdown. Approaches like this are said to be causing dramatic decreases in violence. New policies were enforced in 1985 within the Texas correctional facilities. Homicides dropped from 53 in 1984 to 5 in 1985(Fedarko,42). Florida uses a tightly managed system that locks prisoners up for 23 hours. Further enforcement is inflicted based on future behavior.Society needs to understand along with correctional facilities that power and control will not be an immediate result. This at any time may be an illusion. When offenders cross over and enter the prison system they are usually challenged with a fight(Huffman 45). Outcomes will determine who is tougher, who will be turned into a servant and who will pay for protection by being extorted. Members who are considered prey seek gangs for protection(Fedarko 42). Prison creates an environment that is destined for criminality.

Inmates have antisocial behavior with a rap sheet of criminal history. It is only natural that one will be the predator and another being the prey.Prison gangs like most street gangs have a motto or creed. There usually is some sort of constitution that governs the groups behavior. Loyalty is a must when involving oneself with a prison gang(Peterson,pg.160). Violence is a norm and is used to climb up the prison hierarchy. This gives inmates incentives to prove their loyalty which creates violent altercations.When members of gangs want out it causes a disruption within the gangs structure. The main concern of gang leaders turns to security and secrecy. When an individual leaves a group they put all of that in harms way. This creates the infamous blood-in-blood-out credo(Peterson,160). In return the member that is trieng to escape the group gets put on a hit list or is in serious danger for his life. The gangs violence is so perpetual that it even is inflicted on their own.The nations awareness of gang violence in prisons has been increased.

Many inmates only have three choices when entering prison: He can fight, escape, or submit(Clear, Cole, Reisig,279). The probability of violence floods within the institution. Even if an inmate may not be a victim he may fight to prove acceptance within the prison subculture. When discussing gang violence there are three main characteristics that outline behavior. Behavior stimuli that control the way one acts in prison are age, attitude, and race(Clear, Cole, Reisig Pg.279). Age is a factor because to youth joining gangs in or outside prison gives credit. Young men are more prone to act in a violent manner when compared with adult men. These young inmates have greater strength than their older inmates. Young prisoners do not have responsibilities to a career or family. With no expectations or goals anti-social behavior is created which promotes violence and activities such as joining gangs. Gang leaders pray for young, loyal, devoted members. A leaders main concern is lifelong membership(Gaes, Wallace,Gilman,Saffran,Suppa, 2001). Thes young men when upon entering prison are very vulnerable. They are looked at a prey by older inmates. Violence is the only way to gain respect on a prison yard. These leaders look at fresh inmates as recruits.Age creates for a man a struggle to define his position. Interactions may be turned into challenges of ones status. Machismo is described as the concept of male honor &sacredness of ones reputation as a man(Clear, Cole, Reisig pg 281).

Men may act out in a physical manner to another that challenges his status. The younger the more apt an inmate will fight which increases his probability of being recruited by a gang. Upper leadership in a gang will use the immaturity to control behavior. New members will be put in positions to impress and define their position. Young inmates will pursue to establish a reputation built on honor inflicted by violence.The attitude of the offender also creates problem linked with prison gangs. Most of prison population is consisted mainly of the lower class. The value system of this class makes violence tolerable, expected and required(Cole, Clear, Reisig 281).

Arguments are settled by fists before any verbal remedies. These attitudes get drug into prison and are turned into the qualifications to be successful in prison life. Many of these offenders come off the streets already involved with gang life. Prison is just another place to find a niche. Race is the cornerstone of prison gangs. Upon entering a facility, one will seek out members of their race. This not only brings together similar people, it also diversifies and creates tension among inmates. Attitudes that are controlled by racist thought have become part of gang codes(Shepard, 112).

Gangs use violence against other races in prison to control and create fear among inmates. Prison gangs amplify racial conflict inside facilities. With factors such as:(1) Inadequate supervision, (2)architectural design that promotes victimization,(3) easy availibilty of weapons,(4) housing of violent prone prisoners near defenseless ones(5)high level of tension created by close quarters(Cole,Clear Reisig, pg.285). It makes it easy for gangs to take over a good control of prison function Violent behavior is characterized by the type of inmates locked up, and the reputation brought with them in.

For many this lifestyle is just as normal as working a fifty-hour week.There are certain ways that correctional administration work on to reduce gang violence. Improving classifications of violent prone (gang leaders) inmates and separate them from inmate population is a very common method(fedarko,42). Staff also needs to make available assistance for those fearful of being victimized. These inmates are able to hear information of prisoners. The size and training of the custody force needs to be increased along with racial diversity among staff. The more staff there is the more eyes and ears there are scanning the prison complex. This will reduce the ability of offenders to sneak around officers backs.

Placing all areas legally under surveillance will contribute to limiting gang activity that creates violence and many other prison disruptions. Members will not be able to go about the day in the normal manner they are used to.When people live together for a period of time systems and norms are created along with gangs. In prison the values of their society mirror the adaptation to pain and being locked up. These values are also the same on the street and when an individual gets locked up these values rarely ever change. In most cases it just fine tunes their criminality and makes them tougher.Prison gangs will continue to cause a disruptive force in prison facilities. Gangs are non-abiding to prison programs. Along with posing as at threat to staff and inmates they corrode the quality of life. With the diversity of prison gangs successful intervention with gangs will only come about with better starategies pertaining to community re-entry. Correctional agencies along with gang researchers need to devise collaborative plans for the deconstruction of prison gangs and their culture.