From the street to the prison, from the prison to the street: understanding and responding to prison gangs

Pages12-24
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2011.0018
Published date31 January 2011
Date31 January 2011
AuthorDavid Pyrooz,Scott Decker,Mark Fleisher
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Sociology
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research • Volume 3 Issue 1 • January 2011 © Pier Professional Ltd12
Introduction
The presence of gangs in incarcerated facilities
presents a host of issues for policymakers and
correctional staff, managers and administrators.
Estimates from the US indicate that gang
members comprise as much as 13% of jail
populations (Ruddell et al, 2006), 12% to 17%
of state prison populations (Griffin & Hepburn,
2006; Kreinert and Fleisher, 2001), and nine per
cent of the federal prison population (Gaes et al,
2002). These figures take on added significance
when considering the violence associated with
gangs, inside and outside of prison walls. In large
US cities, for example, Decker and Pyrooz (2010)
reported that gang members have homicide rates
100 times higher than the national average.
Gang members are disproportionately
represented in prisons, but our knowledge
of prison gangs does not match their level
of prison involvement. We attribute this
discrepancy to two main sources. First, there
are administrative challenges to gathering
such information. Correctional agencies
screen research proposals and may consider
appropriate only those projects with relevance
to programmes and operations of correctional
institutions. Researchers must also receive
approval from university and correctional
agencies’ human subjects committee. Second,
there are methodological limitations. There
are no field studies on prison gangs, and
information about prison gang activity must be
From the street to the prison,
from the prison to the street:
understanding and responding
to prison gangs
David C Pyrooz
Doctoral Student, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, USA
Scott H Decker
Foundation Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, USA
Mark Fleisher
Kent State University, USA
Invited paper
ABS TR AC T
This article examines a range of issues associated with gangs in incarcerated settings. We
begin by examining the similarities and differences between street and prison gangs, and
differentiating them from other types of criminal groups. Next, we focus on the emergence
and growth of gangs in prison, including patterns and theoretical explanations. Importantly,
we draw theoretical linkages between differing perspectives on gang emergence and gang
violence. We also present administrative and official responses to gangs in prison. Finally,
we discuss the movement from prison to the street, examining the difficulties that former
prisoners face when re-entering communities.
KEY WORDS
Gangs; prison; programming; re-entry.
10.5042/jacpr.2011.0018

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