STREET GANGS BEHIND BARS

• NCJ Number: 30216
• Journal: Social Problems Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 395-409
• Author(s): J B JACOBS
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Study of Social Problems
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION STUDY CARRIED OUT AT STATEVILLE, ILLINOIS PENITENTIARY, A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON, TO INVESTIGATE THE PRISON SOCIAL STRUCTURE.

Abstract

CONTRARY TO THE TRADITIONAL STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL EXPLANATION FOR INMATE ORGANIZATION WHICH FOCUSES UPON SITUATIONAL VARIABLES, THIS ANALYSIS SUPPORTS THE IRWINCRESSEY (1964) POSITION THAT MUCH OF WHAT HAS BEEN TERMED INMATE CULTURE IS ACTUALLY IMPORTED FROM OUTSIDE THE PRISON. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT REALITY BEHIND STATEVILLE'S WALLS IS THE EXISTENCE OF FOUR LOWER CLASS CHICAGO STREET GANGS WHICH HAVE BROUGHT INTO THE PRISON THEIR STREET ACTIVITIES, HIERARCHIES, RIVALRIES, AND IDEOLOGIES. THE PURPOSE HERE IS TO DESCRIBE THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS EMERGED AS A RESULT OF THIS PHENOMENON AND TO RELATE THIS DEVELOPMENT TO THE TRADITIONAL LITERATURE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)