CRJ101 - Security Threat Groups: Changing Dynamics of Prison Riots

This essay defines Security Threat Groups (STGs) as formal or informal prison gangs and examines their impact on prison riots. It highlights that STGs are criminal entities within correctional facilities, differing in structure and composition, and pose a threat to prison security. The essay summarizes the causes and stages of prison riots, emphasizing that riots are often attempts by inmates to force change or express grievances related to poor management or unaddressed complaints. It concludes that the introduction of STGs into prison riots significantly alters the dynamics of prison culture by adding organized criminal elements to collective acts of defiance, ultimately impacting the security and control within correctional institutions. Desklib offers a variety of solved assignments and past papers for students.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
QUESTION-ANSWER ON CRIMINOLOGY
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Authors Note

1INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Security Threat Group or STG is a formal or informal jail group of prisoners. Ultimately
they are the gangs of the prison. The word Security Threat Group is used by law enforcement
authorities to refer to these groups and avoid identification of the word ‘gang’. STG endanger
prison officers and other detainees’ security. The structure and composition of STGs differ.
Highly organized gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood and less formal gangs like the Texas Mafia
are also present (Frost & Monteiro, 2016). Within the U.S. correctional institutions, STGs are
essentially criminal agencies. However, definitions of STG can differ from one state to another.
The phrase ‘security threat group’ refers to a group of prison people named by the Commissioner
who can collect periodically and informally under an STG program drawn up by New Jersey’s
Department of Corrections to monitor the gangs of violence in correctional installations.
The gang members have common characteristics, goals, and priorities that differentiate them
from other classes of prisoners or other prisoners. And as a separate organization, this group
poses a threat to the security of prison personnel, other convicts and the community. In Fraise
vs. Terhune, 283. F.3d 506, 509-510 (3d Cir. 2002) case the safe, protected and orderly
operation of the correctional facilities have been interrupted as per the decisions of the judges.
Correctional groups are categorized as STGs according to criteria such as gang history, intent,
criminal activity, violence susceptible to abuse, structure, and arrangement. The primary reason
behind the formation of STGs is to protect the rights and interests of the gang members.
However, STGs also include criminal acts such as bombings, assassinations, abductions and
controlled delivery of drugs. They still have power and control over street gangs beyond the
prison frontiers (Glass, 2017).
Whereas, a jail riot is coordinated by a group of inmates, mixing defiance or disorder.
Through riots, prisoners try to make a change or express their grievances. An act of collective

2INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
rebellion or chaos is a prison disturbance by a group of insiders against prison officials or a
different group of prisoners. Every prison disturbance is not regarded as riots. A riot happens
when large numbers of prisoners occupy a substantial part of jail for a prolonged period. It has
been decided by the administration of prison which is too important to be classified as a riot
(Adams, 2016)). Prison riot can be triggered by several different causes, but a riot is typically
intended to force change or complain. The main reasons for prison riots are: poor or no responses
to complaints made by prisoners; poor prison management system; and violent activities of some
prisoners.
Prison riots are not common, so when it takes place progress through five stages which
include: explosion; expansion; confrontation; termination; and reaction (Mann, 2016).
Security threat groups are comprised of criminals who are detained in prison. A gang that
is formed by criminals inside the prison is known as security threat groups. Riots took place
inside the prison to better their situation through protest. Therefore, it can be concluded that the
security threat group with the help of prison riots helps to change the dynamics of prison culture.

3INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Reference
Adams, R. (2016). Prison Riots in Britain and the USA. Springer.
Frost, N., & Monteiro, C. (2016). Administrative segregation in US prisons. Washington, DC:
US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
Glass, D. (2017). The impact of security threat group designation on discretionary parole release
decisions (Doctoral dissertation).
Mann, R. E. (2016). Sex offenders in prison. In Handbook on prisons (pp. 246-264). Routledge.