Inside the Lives of Inmates: How Some Prisoners Escape Gang Life Behind Bars

The United States carries the unfortunate distinction of maintaining the highest imprisonment rate among advanced countries, with a projected 1.5 million nationals currently incarcerated. Such statistics generate a multitude of inquiries into life in confinement, an existence that continues to be veiled in secrecy for most Americans.

"I'd rather talk to you than sit in my cell."

This sentiment, expressed by prisoners with and without gang affiliations, embodies the readiness of those behind bars to open up about their experiences and illuminate the mysterious realm of prison gangs. As criminology researchers, we undertook an intensive nine-month investigative journey inside a Texan correctional facility in 2016. We interviewed over 800 prisoners, seeking to understand their lives both before and during their prison terms.

In the process, we discovered fascinating insights about the role, structure, and influence of gangs in prison. Our findings, detailed in our 2020 book, provide an unprecedented glimpse into the workings of prison gangs.

Despite the wealth of research available on street gangs, studies focusing on prison gangs remain relatively scarce. The primary reason for this gap is the difficulty of gaining access to prisons for research purposes. Prison authorities are naturally cautious, often reluctant to allow outsiders within prison walls.

However, our research experience proved to be different. Approximately half of the individuals we interviewed were associated with prison gangs. Both gang members and non-gang prisoners were eager to share their experiences and perspectives with us.

The boom of excessive imprisonment in the 1980s led to a significant rise in gang activity within US prisons. Prior to this, Texas correctional facilities had seen minimal evidence of gang-related behavior. However, between 1984 and 1985, there was a dramatic shift as violent clashes erupted among prominent gangs. Consequently, throughout these tumultuous times spanning over twenty-one months, fifty-two inmates tragically lost their lives. This dark period is often referred to as the 'war years'.

Our study identified over 50 different gangs operating both within prisons and on the streets. All 12 gangs considered "security threat groups" (STGs) by the prison authorities fit the traditional perception of prison gangs: organized, conspiratorial, and violent. The rest, known as "cliques," lack a clear hierarchy or direction, resembling a band of criminals rather than a well-structured organization.

Nearly all prison gangs we studied were composed of a single race or ethnicity. While geographic proximity serves as the primary social sorter for street gangs, race and ethnicity play this role for prison gangs. However, our interviewees indicated a shift in the dynamics of these gangs, suggesting that their power and control have significantly waned over time.

Despite the perceived decline in their influence, it would be incorrect to assume that gangs lack power within prisons. They may not exert absolute control over prison life, but their influence cannot be underestimated. Even though gang members constitute only about 20% of the prison population in Texas, they wield significant power through one key means: violence.

Violence serves as a tool for resolving disputes, disciplining members, and protecting gang interests. Stories of violent incidents are passed down through generations, ensuring the memory of these events persists. Such narratives have a significant impact, as they instill fear and maintain the illusion of power.

For those new to the prison environment, the prospect of joining a gang often appears appealing. The prison population consists largely of individuals convicted of violent offenses, rendering the environment intimidating and threatening. Under such circumstances, gang membership seems to offer a sense of security and status.

Our research showed that approximately 10% of Texas inmates joined a gang for the first time in prison, while another 10% brought their gang affiliation from the street. Protection, status, and ideology were the primary reasons for joining a gang. However, most prisoners manage to avoid gang involvement, citing religion, sexual orientation, or the nature of their crimes as reasons to steer clear of gangs.

The popular belief that gang membership is a lifelong commitment has been debunked by criminologists. Contrary to conventional wisdom, individuals can and do leave gangs, often without facing violent repercussions. This is true for prison gangs as well.

Disillusionment is the leading reason for leaving a gang. Many gang members eventually realize that the promises of gang life often fall short of reality. The combination of informing on fellow members, victimization, solitary confinement, and delayed parole often leads to a growing discontent with gang life.

Despite considerable efforts, the influence of gangs on prison life remains a pervasive problem. The commonly proposed solution of placing gang members in solitary confinement is a management strategy rather than a sustainable solution.

To break the grip of gangs on prisons, it is crucial to focus on points of entry and exit. By discouraging new memberships and facilitating the exit of current members, the power of gangs can be significantly reduced.

The importance of addressing the issue of prison gangs cannot be overstated. Today's prisoners are tomorrow's neighbors, religious congregants, and employees. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that individuals leave prison in better condition than when they entered, and that includes effective responses to the issue of gangs.

This article is based on the research and insights shared by David Pyrooz from the University of Colorado Boulder and Scott H. Decker from the Arizona State University.