Hate Crime In Prison

The role of prison life in the growth of hate crime and hate groups

Prison Community Connection

Prisoners are no longer isolated from the community.

Prisons and communities impact each other 95% of prisoners will return to the

community The State controls the perimeter but not

behavior

History of Prison Gangs

Naples Prison – Mafia

Russian Prison Gangs– Russian Mafia

American Prison Gangs– Mexican Mafia– Gangster Disciples

Arian Brotherhood– Others

Gangs to Hate

Hate motivated Behavior– Hate crimes– Hate Incidents (1st Amendment)– Often violent– Behavior that jeopardizes a person because of

their group affiliation

Group Affiliations

Race Religion Creed National Origin Sex Sexual orientation Disability

Prison Hate Motivated Behavior

Identifies other groups as hostile enemies Organizes inmates in functional racial

groups Establishes a code of conduct that requires

hate group support in the community. Uses the crimes of murder, assault and rape

are primary instruments of intimidation and enforcement.

Hate Based Gangs

Aryan Brotherhood Nazi Low Riders Nuestra Familia Black Guerilla Family

Hate Group Victims

Racial identity Gays, Lesbians, trans sexual. Ethnic Groups based on location Disabled

Epidemiology of Hate

Hate as an infectious disease Inmates are infected with Hate as they enter

the prison Their infection grows and matures

throughout their term of incarceration The disease matures and mutates as the

number of infected subjects grows

Public Health Model

Research Documentation Development theoretical models Systematic implementation of interventions Feedback and Evaluation

Prison Power Model

Phase I - State Dominate

New Institution Lock Down Status Maximum Security 23/1 or 24 Hr Inmates Idle Staff does all the

work

Phase II - State over Inmates

State Dominate Inmates are allowed to

move Work Assignments Program participation Inmates do the work Staff supervises

inmates

Phase III - Inmates over State

Inmates Dominate Inmate numbers Compromise Staff Contraband Territory Sex Violence Organize

Hate Groups Impact on the Community Develop into criminal enterprises Terrorize neighborhoods and communities Create wealth Develop Political Power Threaten the social and political order

Optimum Balance

Staff retains control Inmates contribute to

the institution Free to conduct

positive activities Cost effective Safe and secure

Phase IV – Inmate Dominate Inmates take control Violent incidents Assaults on rivals Take hostages Kill the snitches Secure the crazies Develop demands Negotiate w / authorities State Assault restores

State power

Hate Groups Influence

Fill the power vacuum Connections to the outside increase their

power base Do things the State can not or will not do Use terrorism tactics to intimidate the

prison and the community

The End

References

Office of Justice Programs, 2001, BJS Special Report, Hate Crimes Reported in NIBRIS, 1977-99, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington D.C.

Harlow, C.W., 2005, BJS Special Report, Hate Crimes Reported by Victims and Police, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington D.C.

Hamm, M.S., 2008, Prisoner Radicalization Assessing the Threat in U.S. Correctional Institutions, NIJ Journal No 261, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington D.C

  Office of Justice Programs, 2001, BJS Special Report,

Hate Crimes Reported in NIBRIS, 1977-99, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington D.C.

Rosenthal, M., 2004, Recommendations for Reform The California Youth and Adult Correctional Agency: Racism, Violence, Bigotry, and Gang / Intergroup Conflict,California Performance Review Board, CA

Lofgreen. V. 1994 "A Model of the Dynamic Power Relationship Between Staff and Inmates in a Secure Correctional Facility", in: Peak, Kenneth J., Justice Administration: Managing Police, Courts, and Corrections Organizations, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Victor Lofgreen Ph DWalden University

Presented to:Community College Criminal Justice Educators of Texas

Howard College

Big Spring, TX

May 20 2009