Prison Gangs In Arizona

354 Words2 Pages
Prison is a form of punishment given to convicted criminals for crimes committed. So why do officials allow the forming of prison gangs in our prisons? The origin of prison gangs and the factors that keep them alive behind the walls of every prison in the country is by the recruitment of new inmates. In the United States we have six major gangs that have formed behind the walls of our penitentiaries. identified. Statistics from correctional facilities, as well as national surveys, are revealed and prove the rise in prison gangs and the threat they pose for communities. Prison gangs are flooding behind walls of every correctional facility across the United States. There are six major gangs that are generally identified by raciae or ethnic background. Prison gangs are much better organized than the average street gang. When an inmate is released he is typically more savvy about keeping a low profile and so it becomes more difficult for authorities recognize criminal activity. Prison gangs have risen some four hundred percent during the last decade and are still climbing. Gangs inside the prison walls have become experts at communicating through coded messages. Prison gangs originated as a form of protection from predator inmates, but expanded to include contraband. Gangs, whether street or prison, are identified by law enforcement as Security Threat Groups, STGs, and are monitored by officials. When a male inmate first enters the prison system, it is more likely than not that he will join a prison gang. This happens both voluntarily and involuntarily. In doing so, this gang becomes his family. He then "works towards the gang's antisocial goals” (www.Prison-gangs.com). If, for whatever reason, the new inmate is not suitable to gang life, he is often then the prey of gang members. Those who do not submit to becoming a gang member or who are not wanted by the gangs
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