Nationwide Prison Lockdowns after murders at U.S. Penitentiary Beaumont

Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Kristie A. Breshears said in a statement, “In an abundance of caution, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is securing our facilities as a temporary measure to ensure the good order of our institutions.”

“We anticipate this security measure will be short-lived,” she said with Stars and Stripes reporting

The Department of Justice has listed following problematic gangs incarcerated:

TDCJ recognizes 12 Security Threat Groups:

1. AryanBrotherhoodofTexas 2. AryanCircle
3. BarrioAzteca
4. Bloods

5. Crips
6. HermanosDePistolerosLatinos 7. MexicanMafia
8. PartidoRevolucionarioMexicanos 9. RazaUnida
10.Texas Chicano Brotherhood 11.Texas Mafia
12.Texas Syndicate

Prisons nationwide have problems with recruiting inside the prisons.

Some offenders join an STG in an effort to exert influence and take advantage of other offenders. They use any means necessary in an attempt to control their environment regardless of who gets hurt.

Offenders may believe they need to join a gang for protection, but this is an inaccurate belief. By joining a gang, they put themselves in more danger because the rivals of their fellow gang members have also become their enemies.

What are indicators of STG membership?

Although STG members strive to keep all of their activities secret, including not informing family and friends of their ties to the gangs, many STG members put on specific gang tattoos and use hand signs.

They also use terminology specific to their respective gangs in correspondence and often utilize friends and family members to forward gang-related information.

This could result in loss of correspondence and visitation privileges with participants.

How do STGs recruit offenders?

There are various ways that STGs will attempt to persuade an offender to join. Many use the leverage of protection to join. Many join for financial support. Others join in an effort to try to control their environment. Many join because they have a need to belong or to be accepted. Many offenders feel that their family, friends or loved ones have lost “respect” for them due to being sent to prison. As a result, the gang acts as a family and gives these offenders a false sense of belonging. Only when the offender is threatened or ordered to do something illegal does he realize what a gang is really about. What happens if your son/daughter joins a STG while incarcerated?

• Not allowed to have contact visits.
• Number of visits allowed can be affected.
• Not allowed to participate in any academic activity.
• Not allowed to participate in any vocational activity.
• Consideration for emergency absences is not given.
• Diligent participation in good time credits is not given.
• Not allowed to work.
• Restricted movement.
• Placement in Administrative Segregation.
• State and local law enforcement agencies are notified upon release.
• Parole release could be affected.