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

Victor Lofgreen Ph D
Walden University

Presented to:
Community College Criminal Justice Educators of Texas
Howard College Big Spring, TX May 20 2009

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.