NCJ Number
128456
Date Published
1990
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The New Mexico Governor's Organized Crime Prevention Commission, along with the Department of Public Safety, assesses the extent and structure of gang activity in the State's prison system.
Abstract
The study is based on a survey of Department of Corrections employees, analysis of the survey results, interviews with key corrections personnel knowledgeable about prison gangs, and a review of relevant literature nationwide. The commission finds both national and locally organized gangs in the prison system. Such gangs are structured, well-disciplined groups that have bylaws or rules that govern the group's focus. Nationwide gangs are much better organized that the newer, locally organized associations. The study identifies 218 suspected gang members belonging to 15 prison gangs or groups. Of these, only 3 percent are classified as hard-core gang members. The remainder are associates. This percentage is consistent with prison gang membership nationally. The Department of Corrections currently uses administrative measures to isolate rival gang members from one another. There is some communication among wardens to track gang members throughout the corrections system as they move from facility to facility. The commission recommends the development of a computerized tracking program to obtain intelligence from all correctional facilities within the State, the establishment of inservice training for prison staff to help them identify prison gang members, and the development of a profile of a prison gang and prison gang members. 9 exhibits, 8 references, and charts of the structure of particular gangs