The first thing I'd like to present is the basic definition of what a gang really is. As society has stated, it is a group of individuals, ranging in size, that requires a name, symbols, a territory, and participation toward criminality. Gangs that exist within prisons are just manifestations of street gangs and are beginning to show signs of the biggest threat for U.S. prisons. It is noted that some prisons are not even run by the staff due to the rise in the formation of prison gangs. Control of the system becomes extremely difficult in times like this.

Individuals join gangs for many reasons. Protection from others is one main reason alo

Studies have been done questioning how to stop these gangs from forming and the best means would be by preventing it. Isolation and lock-down can be issued in hopes of discouraging the gang members. Officers could also be provided with better training and information about prison gangs, meaning what to look for. The Nation Major Gang Task Force has aided in the information of gangs to the correctional system, preventing some gangs from getting stronger. This organization also provides techniques of gang management to correctional systems along with suppression of the gang involvement. Some studies also say that by providing programs and activities for the members there is replacement of gang involvement. The main idea is to be able to think on ones own and feel less need for the "group". Another form of prevention was an experiment done in Arizona that transferred gang leaders to other facilities in the country. By doing this, the idea is to make the individual feel more like a minority in the group on inmates. An example would be putting a white supremacist in a more populated area of African Americans. Also with this technique control and organization of the gang is more difficult due to the time and distance involved.

All of this information presents the problems at hand and possible resolutions.

Statistics have shown that prison gang involvement grows yearly from California all the way to Massachusetts. Noted in 1997,

Some common words found in the essay are:
Prison Gangs, Task Force, Lastly Bloods, Massachusetts Noted, Aryan Brotherhood, Latin Kings, Finally York, African Americans, Mexican Mafia, prison gangs, Kings Hispanic, gang involvement, latin kings, involved gang, prison systems, gang violence, mexican mafia, prison system, gangs exist, gangs gang,
Approximate Word count = 974
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)