Dangerous Convictions for PDF - ADL

Dangerous
Convictions:
AN INTRODUCTION TO EXTREMIST ACTIVITIES IN PRISONS
Like the more well-known street gangs, prison gangs often develop their own
cultures, ranging from rules of conduct to distinct fashions (in prisons, where
dress is regulated, such fashions more often take the form of tattoos or other
physical distinctions). Indeed, over the years, the differences between prison
gangs and street gangs have sometimes become obscured, particularly because
of the incarceration of street-gang members who bring their tactics and connections
into prison with them. Both prison and street gangs utilize female
gang members, supporters and girlfriends for personal and financial support
and as a way to continue their criminal
In prison, racist gangs are able to
activities. For example, female supporters
often act as liaisons between gang spread their ideology while at the
members unable to communicate same time engaging in the criminal
directly because of prison restrictions or
take part in the gang’s involvement in
enterprises typical of other prison
narcotics trafficking.
gangs.
Like street gangs, prison gangs are generally
drawn along racial and ethnic lines, but the composition of street gangs
usually includes a geographic component (the “neighborhood” gang) totally
lacking in prison gangs, with the result that prison gangs are even less likely
to be multiracial or multiethnic. Most street gangs are not ideologically motivated
by a belief in racial superiority or a desire for a racially pure society;
many prison gangs, however, do profess an ideological motivation. While
such professions are often mere camouflage or rationalizing for criminal activity,
the extreme racist nature of many prison gangs cannot be denied. In
prison, these gangs are able to spread their racist ideology while at the same
time engaging in the criminal enterprises typical of most prison gangs.
Moreover, these racist gangs are as violent as other gangs in prison and have
been responsible for prison riots as well as attacks on corrections authorities
and other inmates. At the Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Oregon, for
example, nine members of a white supremacist prison gang called the New
Family Mafia launched a riot in February 2001, during which they assaulted
a corrections officer. The riot resulted in $57,000 worth of damage to prison
facilities. That same month in Arizona, corrections officials revealed what
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