Prison Gangs Essay Research Paper (стр. 2 из 2)

outnumbered any other gangs and most often excluded outsiders. Black inmates

that were not from Philly formed their own gangs which did not have as much

power. Black gangs competed with each other over turf and the control for

“contraband” sales. There were violent battles between them. Black gangs

primarily operated as money making enterprises.

“White gangs at Graterford were a completely different story” (Hassine,

63). They usually formed while seeking protection from other gang members.

“White gangs at Graterford were more likely to be small, improvised groups

rather than organized teams with specific agendas, and were generally much

less diverse than their Black counterparts” (Hassine, 63). Black gangs preferred

to have as many members as possible to protect their turf and generate more

interest but White gangs preferred to have a select few people to stretch their

resources. “White drug addicts tended to join together in order to pool their funds

to buy drugs at a volume discount” (Hassine, 63).

“The exceptions in Graterford were the outlaw motorcycle gangs that

successfully managed to entrench themselves within the prison system”

(Hassine, 64). The Hell’s Angels are one of the motorcycle gangs that were well

recognized and had the ability to compete with the Black gangs. They were

business oriented as well.

However, Victor Hassine did not join a gang. He had a few friends with

whom he played chess with everday; a Jew and a Muslim. He got into brawls like

everyone else but gang involvement was not a necessity for Hassine as it was

for Fernando. During my interview with Fernando, he made me feel the need

that most inmates have for gang involvement. It makes me think that the

environment in correctional facilities are tougher than they used to be. Perhaps if

Victor Hassine was sentenced to a prison now it would be much harder for him to

resist gang involvement. One thing is obvious though. It was much harder to

belong about a decade ago because the only races identifiable in correctional

faciities were White and Black. Now we have numerous Hispanic and Asian

gangs.

The research I have done has influenced me to clearly state that if I were

ever to be in such a situation, I would most definitely join one of these gangs or

organizations. I wouldn’t take the chance of standing alone in such an

atmosphere where you are seen as fresh new meat in every context of the word.

Would you?

Alonso,Jake. Telephone Interview. 2 November 1999.

Hassine, Victor. Life Without Parole. California: Roxbury Publishing Company.

1996.