WHEREAS:

Gangs in prisons and jails are one of the most serious problems confronting AFSCME members who work in correctional institutions. According to national surveys, prison gangs exist in more than thirty-three states, comprising thousands of inmates. Gangs are not only national in scope, but they also are identified with different regions of the country; and

WHEREAS:

The potential for conflict and violence in correctional systems is compounded by the rise of gangs in prisons and jails. Prison gangs tend to be differentiated along racial and ethnic lines. Patterns of gang conflict involve both inter-gang and gang versus non-gang inmates; and

WHEREAS:

When gang activities are evident, it is important to understand the stages of disruptive gang activities and the manner in which the prison environment nurtures gang development. It is important to determine whether the groups represent a gang or some other form of organization such as a clique, a protection group or a predator group.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That formal instruction about understanding and evaluating prison gangs should be integrated into the pre-service training for all correctional employees and continually updated through in-service training; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That training on the subject of prison gangs include how and why gangs develop; the types of gangs, including those identified with a particular region or area of the country; gang structures; their body markings and any warning signs indicating their presence; how gangs communicate with each other; and the different strategies for dealing with prison gangs; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals representing correctional employees ensure that correctional administrators implement effective strategies for managing the presence of gangs in prisons and jails.

SUBMITTED BY:

Gary M. Lonzo, President and Delegate
Carol Heffernan, Secretary
AFSCME Council 24
Wisconsin