Prison Gangs. Paper

Prison Gangs. Paper

Nekia Kelly

CJMS 620
April 14, 2013
Paper #3-Prison Gangs

There has been a main concern of gangs in correctional facilities. This trend has been common in prisons since 1960s, and continues to be a key problem over the years in corrections. In the year 1920, the amount of prison gangs was over 1300 in Chicago city and many other cities liked Los Angeles had started seeing an up rise in prison gangs. To seriously comprehend this problem, it is vital to look at the history and type of prison gangs that exist. In most prisons there is frequent disruptive behavior and violence because of the prison atmosphere. The way of life among inmates creates its own civilization. The modern gangs typically use color codes to differentiate themselves from others. There is no limit to color, ethnicity or religion of who joins or creates a gang. Drug trafficking, constant violence, and overcrowding are a few of the major challenges that the justice system faces when trying to manage these gangs. Based usually on race, these gangs are thought to be some of the most treacherous in the world and are only getting bigger. Even though actions are being taken to try and stop these gangs from growing in size, most attempts fail as the gangs are becoming too well-known and too dominant.
Prison gangs by definition are illegal organizations that began within the penal system and they have sustained operations within correctional facilities all over the United States. Prison gangs are also skillful and well-thought out criminal entities that can maintain their operations outside the limitations of the penal system. Typically, a prison gang consists of a chosen group of inmates who have an ordered chain of command and who are governed by a recognized code of conduct. These gangs fluctuate in both organization and composition, from highly structured gangs such as the Aryan Brotherhood and Nuestra Familia to gangs with less formalized structure such as the Mexican Mafia. Prison gangs...

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