Peer Review on Prison Gangs

Winterdyk, J., & Ruddell, R. (2010). Managing prison gangs: Results from a survey of US prison systems. 

Journal of Criminal Justice

This article researched about a survey that was conducted in a US prison system housing over 1.19 million prisoners. The essence of the research was to obtain information regarding prison gangs’ members, the structures used in coordinating prison gangs, and the strategies that are used to mitigate the prison gangs’ threats. There has been an increase in cases of prison gangs over the past ten years. In consequence, it is causing disruptions and serious negative influences in terms of security and safety in prison.

From the article, a survey was conducted in all the US prison system, both federal and state prisons. The research team provided questionnaires to the contact persons who included Investigative Bureaus, Directors of security, and STG Units. The questions included reasons why inmates joined prison gangs and gang management structures. From the findings, it was evident that inmates joined prison gangs to access contrabands, benefit economically, to increase their status in prison, to have a sense of belonging, and due to fear of other gangs and inmates.

Skarbek, D. (2012). Prison gangs, norms, and organizations.  Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization ,  82 (1), 96-109. 

This article researches the social system of the inmates in prison. From the article, the inmates use norms and organizational programs to manage and govern their social life. However, in a very populated prison, the inmates are unable to rely on rules. Therefore, they are forced to form and join organizations to protect and govern them. The prison gangs have the power to deter their predators and prey on others, leading to disruption of peace in the prisons. 

This article used anthropological and sociological studies for research. The research relied on information provided by inmates, reports, prison management officials, law enforcement officials, and the former prison gang members. From the study, it is evident that many prison gangs engage in violence. Moreover, the prison gangs exploit, endanger, and extort inmates in prison. The prison gangs have expanded their scope into controlling contrabands in prison. Increasing demand for narcotics in the prisons has led to the complexity of the prison gang activities, including partnering with other criminals and promoting violence in prisons. 

Similarities in the two articles 

The two articles focus on finding the reasons that have led to the prevalence of prison gangs by using different research techniques. From the two articles, several negative impacts of the prison gangs have been pointed out, including violence in prison, which has compromised the safety and security of the prison system. The findings from the two articles agree illicit contrabands to be a major issue in prison gangs. 

Differences between the articles 

The first article conducted a survey through the issuance of questionnaires to stakeholders related to prisons. The article mostly focuses on the reasons that led to inmates joining and forming prison gangs, the prison gang structures, and how the prison gangs can be mitigated. On the other hand, the second article reviews previous researches that were conducted by other researchers. This article focuses mostly on the issue of governance in prisons where the inmates can govern their social systems by using norms. Lack of proper governance and standards in prisons has led to the prevalence of prison gangs, according to this article. 

Conclusion 

The current researches mainly focus on the issue of prison gangs and the factors that have led to the emergence and growth of prison gangs in the prison systems. More research should be conducted focusing on the ways of providing alternative correctional systems including community services. Researchers should also focus on new and efficient prison management systems. Moreover, more research should be conducted on inmates' rehabilitation, vocational training, and the provision of recreational activities.