prison gangs

Prison gangs are organized groups within correctional facilities that often engage in illegal activities and exert influence over inmates and outside networks. They form for protection, power, and resources, sometimes engaging in drug trafficking, extortion, and violence. These gangs can have structured hierarchies and cultural codes, with memberships based on ethnicity, shared history, or criminal enterprise. They pose security challenges for prison authorities and can impact community safety, as their influence sometimes extends beyond prison walls. Understanding these groups is key to addressing their role in criminal activity and maintaining order within correctional institutions.