Interventions to Combat Criminal Organizations

  Thus far, you have been studying gangs and criminal organizations operating freely in the United States and the legal statutes that address violence perpetrated by them. Thousands are prosecuted, sentenced, and incarcerated based on this legislation. Unfortunately, confinement to a correctional facility does not prevent gang-related activities from occurring. Prison gangs are often sophisticated, with their own hierarchical structure, communication pathways, and codes of conduct. As such, prison gangs bring with them unique challenges for criminal justice professionals. In this second week focused on combating criminal organizations, you discuss some of these challenges while also explaining the difference between street gangs and prison gangs. You then return to analysis of your own community—this time proposing new law enforcement, judicial, and correctional interventions to better address the problem of criminal organizations. Learning Objectives Students will: Differentiate between street gangs and prison gangs Analyze factors that contribute to the proliferation of gangs in prisons Analyze correctional challenges to combating prison gangs Recommend law enforcement, judicial, and correctional interventions to combat criminal organizations