DISRUPTIVE GROUPS
22.1
UNIT GOAL:
The student will be able to summarize disruptive groups.
22.1.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: group.
The student will be able to define disruptive
22.1.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to define criminal street gang. 22.1.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the similarities and differences between disruptive groups (prison gangs) and street gangs. 22.1.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to recognize gang affiliations. 22.1.5 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to list early warning signs of prison/jail gang activity. 22.1.6 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the three court cases that greatly influenced gang growth in TDCJ-ID. 22.1.7 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to define the history of gangs in TDCJ-ID. 22.1.8 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: gangs. The student will be able to identify various street
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DISRUPTIVE GROUPS
22.1.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to define disruptive groups. DISRUPTIVE GROUP: Any group of inmates which pose a threat to the physical safety of other inmates or staff by virtue of the group's nature and activities. 22.1.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to define criminal street gang. CRIMINAL STREET GANG: Three or more persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an identifiable leadership who continuously or regularly associate in the commission of criminal activities. (See Penal Code 71.01 and 71.02 for laws relating to organized criminal behavior.) 22.1.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the similarities and differences between disruptive groups (prison gangs) and street gangs. A. Similarities: Both are engaged in illegal activities, with emphasis on narcotics. Both demonstrate a high preference for violence (i.e., "Crips" and "Bloods" drive-by shooting, Texas Syndicate-homicides). Both are becoming more mobile and sophisticated. Differences: 1. Street gangs tend to keep high profile (i.e., wear colors, have graffiti) Street gangs are loosely knit as a whole with no written rules or constitution. Prison gangs are highly structured with by-laws and/or a constitution that is strictly enforced. The primary age of a street gang member ranges from twelve (12) to twenty (20) years of age. The average age is approximately eighteen (18), but active gang members are being seen into their early thirties. Gang members generally have not served time in prison. Prison gangs are structured with a steering commission/committee, are para-military, and have one person in high authority.
B.
2.
3.
4.
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22.1.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: affiliations. A. B. C. D. E. F. Body tattoos Gang-related apparel
The student will be able to recognize gang
Inmate groupings at meals, recreation, housing Information from informants Information from law enforcement agencies Deterioration of inmate morale
22.1.5 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to list some early warning signs of prison/jail gang activity. A. Some early warning signs of prison/jail gang activity are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. B. Inmate on inmate assaults Inmates assaulting staff members Request for housing assignment changes Self mutilations Body tattoos Gang-related apparel Inmate graffiti Inmate groupings at feeding, recreation, housing Information from informants Information from law enforcement agencies
Prison/jail gangs were first formed for protection. Weaker inmates were being preyed upon by stronger inmates or other groups because of the prison's/jail's inability to protect the inmate population.
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22.1.6 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the three court cases that greatly influenced gang growth in TDCJ-ID. A. Coffield v. Lamar - Increased racial tension among inmates and forced inmates to group together along racial lines. Guajuardo v. Estelle - Allowed inmates to correspond with one another. Because of the increase in communication among inmates between the various units, TDCJ-ID no longer was able to "hide" cooperative inmates. It also gave gangs an established line of communication which significantly affected recruiting and violence. Gangs were also able to increase their power over other inmates with threats through correspondence. Ruiz v. Estelle - Eliminated the building tender system, creating a vacuum of power. Gangs were able to step in and take control over other inmates.
B.
C.
22.1.7 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to define the history of gangs in TDCJ-ID. A. Gangs emerged within TDCJ-ID in the mid 1970's. The first two recognized gangs were the Aryan Brotherhood and the Texas Syndicate. 1. TEXAS SYNDICATE - Formed in 1974 by Texans incarcerated in the California prison system. Some members filtered back to Texas, were arrested and confined to TDCJ-ID. a. b. c. Predominantly Mexican male; some white Para-military in structure Primary goal of controlling narcotics trade, extort other inmates, control prostitution, undermine prison/jail authorities, conduct contract killings as needed
2.
ARYAN BROTHERHOOD - Formed in Texas in the early 1980's. A group of several white inmates in TDCJ-ID decided to start their own chapter. a. b. c. Exclusively for white inmates White supremacist philosophy Has an executive committee composed of five (5) steering committee members
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d.
Primary goal of controlling narcotics trade among white inmates, extortion and the killing of black inmates
3.
MEXICANEMI - (Mexican Mafia) a. b. Exclusively for Hispanic inmates Members are primarily from the Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso areas Para-military in structure Goals include: a share of the narcotics trade in TDCJ-ID, selling of weapons and other illegal activities as mandated in the gang constitution
c. d.
4.
MANDINGO WARRIORS - Note: Consisted of all black members. This gang is presently destabilized. SELF DEFENSE FAMILY a. b. Predominantly a black gang; one white member This gang was formed under the guise of writ writers and legal groups.
5.
22.1.8 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify various street gangs. A. CRIPS - Formed in California on high school campuses when the "Crips" began to prey upon nonmembers by extorting money and committing robberies. 1. 2. 3. Identify with the color blue Refer to one another as "cuz" Uses the letter "C" to replace the letter "B" in conversations and writings. Gang members will write blue graffiti on walls in the neighborhood to mark their particular territorial boundaries.
4.
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B.
BLOODS - This gang is also referred to as the "Pirus" because they originated on Piru Street. The "Bloods" developed in an effort to protect themselves from the "Crips" and have become the principal rival of the "Crips." 1. 2. 3. 4. Identify with the color red Use the term "Blood" to identify one another Graffiti writings are done in red Numerically, the "Bloods" are outnumbered by the "Crips," but what they lack in numbers they make up for in violence. They are regarded as the more ruthless of the two gangs.
C.
SKINHEADS 1. Skinhead groups have formed with varying levels of cohesion in every region of the country. Gangs are now operating in 21 states, including Texas. Consider themselves as white warriors
2. 3. D.
ASIAN GROUPS - Cambodians, Vietnamese, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese are the most secretive of the gangs. 1. 2. Not concerned about territorial boundaries Interested only in money and will participate in drugs, extortion, and prostitution to earn it
E.
JAMAICAN GANGS - Members have a distinct island accent, hair may be braided in "dredlock" fashion. 1. 2. 3. 4. Clothing is usually red, yellow, and green Very violent where gang activity is involved Strong preference for large caliber semiautomatic weapons Subscribe to rituals and sacrificial ceremonies
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