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(U) Prison Gangs
(U) Definition: A prison gang is a criminal organization that originates in the penal system
and continues to operate within correctional facilities throughout the United States. Prison
gangs are self-perpetuating criminal entities that also continue their operations outside of
prison.
(U) Much of the threat of prison gangs stems
from their nexus to street gangs. Though not
visible to the outside world, prison gangs
impact communities nationwide through
their control over their street subordinates.
Street gang members commit crimes at the
behest of incarcerated members and then
forward revenue and contraband gained from
the commission of their crimes into prison. In
exchange, incarcerated gang members provide
protection to the street gang members when
they are incarcerated.
(U) Membership
(U) Prison gangs most often form along racial
or ethnic lines. 18 This can be observed in state
and federal facilities across the country.
• (U) According to survey findings, Bloods,
Crips, Sureños, Almighty Latin King and
Queen Nation, and Gangster Disciples rank
as the five most commonly reported gangs
within state facilities. 19
one institution to another and from one system
to another due to inmate transfers, inmate
releases, and the introduction of existing gang
members to the population.
• (U) Overall, 68 percent of survey respondents
indicate prison gang membership has
increased in the past two years. 21
• (U) Individually, 75 percent of BOP survey
participants, 79 percent of state participants,
and 100 percent of local participants marked
a notable increase in membership. 22
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Prison Gang Membership Changes
Over the Past Two Years
Increased
Stayed the same
Decreased
(U) Survey results show that prison gang
membership has increased steadily in
correctional systems at federal, state, and local
levels. 20 Prison gang numbers fluctuate from
(U) Source: NAGIA Survey Data.
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2015 NATIONAL GANG REPORT 15
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