Contemporary Patterns of Female Gangs in Correctional Settings

Abstract

This article addresses the current state of female participation in street and prison gangs. Data come predominantly from interviews with observers (correctional officials) and from the authors' experiences in working with correctional, police, and school personnel. The methodology used is an opportunity sample. The article reviews the literature on gangs and addresses why early studies showed few females in gangs and then typically in defined peripheral roles.

KEYWORDS:

• Gangs
• female gangs
• correctional settings
• security threat groups

Notes

1. Mexican Nationals may also align as a protective group against other predatory groups within the institution. Often referred to as paisas in the federal prison system, they may label themselves differently in different institutions (i.e., Mexicles in Texas). For a brief history of paisas, including recruitment and criminal activities within the Nevada prison system, see Allen, J. (2003, December 11). Cover story: Now hiring. Las Vegas Mercury. Retrieved October 18, 2006, from www.lasvegasmercury.com/2003/MERC-Dec-11-Thu-2003/22734385.html

2. For an example of Texas Syndicate and Texas Mexican Mafia constitutions, see Fong, R. (1990). The organizational structure of prison gangs: A Texas case study. Federal Probation, 54(1), 36–43.

3. According to the report by the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, 455 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States were surveyed. The report acknowledges that its findings are “not representative of the nation as a whole, nor [are they] based on a statistically valid sample” (p. 1).

4. The 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment is a federally-funded, national survey of law enforcement agencies that examines the gang problem.