NCJ Number
160872
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 27-63
Date Published
1996
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This preliminary report of research on gangs in corrections provides a full descriptive analysis of the data and examines some trends in the data derived from the 1995 Adult Corrections Survey.
Abstract
Approximately 1,000 administrators of adult State correctional institutions in the United States were mailed the questionnaire in the fall of 1995. Some 323 responded from all 50 States and the District of Columbia; thus, approximately one- third of all adult State correctional facilities in the United States are represented in the sample data analyzed. Among the warning signs that emerged from this study is that the majority of prison wardens in adult State correctional institutions do believe that in the next few years the gang problem will dramatically increase in prisons. Apparently a crisis is facing adult corrections in America and there has been no significant policy response to it. About half the 50 States have one or more institutions reporting that gangs have been a problem in terms of assaults upon staff or correctional officers. Thirty-one States have one or more institutions reporting that they believe that gangs or gang leaders are able to influence politicians in their State. Thirty-seven States have one or more institutions reporting that during the last year there have been disturbances related to gang members in their facility. Forty States have one or more institutions reporting that prison gangs have tended to result in more improvised weapons production among inmates in their facility. All 50 States have one or more institutions reporting that they expect the gang problem in corrections to increase in the next few years. Fifteen States have one or more institutions reporting that they receive pressure from State officials to "play down" gang activity. A 6-item bibliography and appended information on survey codes