NCJ Number
178211
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 61 Issue: 5 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 94-100
Date Published
1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Prisons are a useful source of intelligence for police investigations and the entire criminal justice systems; thus, many law enforcement agencies are now realizing the benefits of contacting their departments of correction or county jails when investigating street crimes.
Abstract
Crimes that involve suspects who have gang affiliates or social acquaintances who are incarcerated should automatically generate an inquiry to corrections agencies to determine if any intelligence is available. However, corrections is often seen only as a by-product of the investigative effort rather than as a source of investigative assistance. This situation must change. Nearly every major active street gang receives direction from inmates. Other criminal activities also receive communications and direction from inmates. Therefore, corrections agencies need to identify and develop sources of intelligence and try to automate the process. Sources of information can range from casual observations by correctional personnel to recovery of detailed organizational charts and the interception of oral communications. Common sources of intelligence include documents, telephone monitoring, mail cover, financial transactions, visitation records, and graffiti. The Security Threat Intelligence Unit of the Florida Department of Corrections has been gathering gang intelligence since 1992. Overall, a seamless and comprehensive effort by corrections and police agencies is needed that is applied in a multijurisdictional manner.