Prison GangsBy:Katherine Parker

Examples Black gangs (Crips/Bloods), White gangs

(Aryon Brother/Skinheads), Hispanic gangs (Northern/Southern), Other (Chinese and other inmates)

Gangs are formed among racial or ethnic lines

“Race War”

The theory of the constitution◦Rules and

guidelines that tell the members of the group how to act, where they can and can not go, and what they should expect from the gang.

Prison Politics

Constitution performs three functions

1. creates common knowledge among criminals about the gang

2. regulates behavior that are of the members

3. generates information about member’s misconduct

Prison Politics

Membership in a prison gang is beneficial for a variety of reasons; including the ability to access contraband, increase one’s status, a sense of belonging that protects one from fear of other inmates and gangs.

Family Aspect