Assignment:
Interventions to Combat Criminal Organizations
Thus far, you have been studying gangs and criminal organizations operating freely in the United States and the legal statutes that address violence perpetrated by them. Thousands are prosecuted, sentenced, and incarcerated based on this legislation.
Unfortunately, confinement to a correctional facility does not prevent gang-related activities from occurring. Prison gangs are often sophisticated, with their own hierarchical structure, communication pathways, and codes of conduct. As such, prison gangs bring with them unique challenges for criminal justice professionals.
In this second week focused on combating criminal organizations, you discuss some of these challenges while also explaining the difference between street gangs and prison gangs. You then return to analysis of your own community-this time proposing new law enforcement, judicial, and correctional interventions to better address the problem of criminal organizations.
Discussion: Prison Gangs
In 2013, members of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) prison gang were indicted on racketeering charges. The gang infiltrated several detention centers in Maryland and conspired with some corrupt correctional officers to distribute drugs and launder money. A high-ranking member of the gang, Travon White, was captured on a phone call saying, "This is my jail. You understand that? I'm dead serious. . .. I make every final call in this jail" (U.S. Attorney's Office, 2013, para. 16). An FBI agent who worked on the case echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the BGF prison gang seemed to be running the detention centers.
In this Discussion, you examine the differences between prison gangs and street gangs, factors that contribute to the proliferation of prison gangs, and challenges related to combating prison gangs.
Reference:
U.S. Attorney's Office. (2013, April 23). Thirteen correctional officers among 25 Black Guerilla Family gang members and associates indicted on federal racketeering charges.
Post a response that addresses the following:
1. What are the differences between prison gangs and street gangs?
2. What factors contribute to the proliferation of gangs in prisons?
3. Why is it challenging to combat prison gangs?