NCJ Number
187506
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 16 Issue: 47 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 15,32-33,34
Date Published
December 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The issue of security threat groups (STG's) or gangs has emerged as a priority custodial operation and security component of modern correctional services, and anti-gang policies and procedures have moved to the forefront of institutional security priorities.
Abstract
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) provides information on prison gangs, gang members, and prison gang activities through its Regional Information Sharing System. The BJA also provides technical assistance and training on a national basis to correctional agencies and allied law enforcement personnel. This network is evolving into a formal system for sharing gang intelligence data and strategies. Efforts to control STG's must be carefully construed, in part because the safety and the security of inmates who seek to do their time and cooperate with institutional programs are jeopardized in the process of overarching efforts solely focused on controlling inmate gangs. The ability of non-gang inmates to avoid gang involvement is becoming less tenable, and a new inmate code has emerged that closely follows racial and cultural boundaries and also includes a virile capacity for collaborative violence in sustaining control over the illicit inmate economy and respective gang turf. Connecticut, California, and Michigan have developed relatively sophisticated gang control strategies that include telephone call monitoring, canine teams, and increased collaboration between corrections and law enforcement. A case study of Connecticut's gang management and assaultive inmate programs is provided. Although the author believes the trend in managing STG's will continue to focus on sophisticated technology and operations, he indicates a great deal of violence continues to occur in maximum security prisons. 8 notes, 1 table, and 1 photograph