Gang Violence
James A. Hamilton III
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Gang Violence
Rationale:
Gangs have a great impact on the youth today. Much of what takes place on the
street are orders being followed from prison. The prison system is flooded with gangs;
many of the activities that get people locked away are continued more frequently behind
bars. This lesson gives students an inside look at the structure of prison gangs and how
they influence the gangs they may encounter on the street. Prison gangs pose a threat
because of their role in the transportation and distribution of narcotics. Prison gangs are a
critical link between drug trafficking organizations and street/motorcycle gangs.
Typically prison gangs are more powerful on the state level rather than in the federal
penal system.
Target Audience:
Grade 9
Core Curriculum Content Standards:
N.J.S.A. (18A: 35-4-26) requires instruction in gang violence prevention for elementary
school students. Each board of education that operates an educational program for
elementary school students shall offer instruction in gang violence prevention and in ways to
avoid membership in gangs. The instruction shall take place as part of the district’s
implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and
Physical Education, and the comprehensive health and physical education curriculum
framework shall provide school districts with sample materials that may be used to support
implementation of the instructional requirement.
2.3 Drugs and Medicine B. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs – 2.3.12.B.2 - There are
immediate and long-term consequences of risky behavior associated with substance
abuse. Debate the various legal and financial consequences of the use, sale, and
possession of illegal substances.
Time Required:
One 45 minute class
Goals:
 For students to learn how prison gangs affect the communities they are in.
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
For students to be able to determine the differences between prison gangs and
street gangs.

For students to understand the unsafe and radical lifestyle that prison gang
members engage in is incredibly destructive.
Objectives:
 Students will be able to identify at least 2 facts about each prison gang during an
unscramble game.

Students will be able to name at least 3 differences between street gangs and
prison gangs when asked during lesson’s closure.

Students will be able to name at least 3 activities prison gangs and street gangs
both partake in while brainstorming with a partner.
Content:
1. Students will be given 15 minutes to take quiz based on the content from
the previous 2 lessons
2. Pre-Lecture question about the consequences for gang membership.
3. Power Point presentation containing questions to be asked to the class and
answers that will be the notes to be taken by students.
4. Answer any and all questions before proceeding to activity.
5. Show one 2 minute clip from Gangland from history.com. Cite critical
points made during the lecture, which appear in the video.
6. Answer any and all questions about the video at its conclusion.
7. Introduce “unscramble” activity to students. Count students off into 5s
then pass out paper to each group, have them flip it over then write two
facts about the prison gang once they’ve unscramble the word.
8. Closure and process questions.
9. Inform them to start studying for a test after the next lesson.
Materials:

Board

Markers

Computer

Quiz

Activity sheets
Activity/Procedure:
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This lesson is the 3rd in a Unit about Gang Awareness.
Students will take quiz based on the content from the previous two lessons then we
will transition into lecture.
To start class the students will be asked questions that tie into the content discussed in
the previous lesson and build on the content in the lesson at hand. A Power Point
presentation will be available for students to take notes that correspond with the
discussion.
Today we will be talking about gangs in prison, class.
Pre-Lecture Question: What other places do gangs thrive in besides communities?
Where might someone end up if they are involved with gangs or gang activities?
Answer: Dead, hospital, jail or prison
Prison gangs will be the focus of the day’s lesson. A prison gang is any group of
people who perform gang activity in a prison or correctional facility. They are also
known as security threat groups or STGs.
Question 1: Do you believe gangs in prison are less violent and active than gangs in
the community? Allow for 2 or 3 student responses.
Answer 1: No, prison gangs are known to be more violent and active than gangs in
the streets. Many street gangs get their drugs and operational instructions from prison
gangs.
Question 2: Would a person be more inclined to be a part of a gang while in prison?
Allow students to answer.
Answer 2: In most cases yes, because they feel a need for protection if they have
enemies that are in a gang, or if they don’t want to be caught in the middle of an
ongoing “war” between rival prison gangs.
Question 3: What types of activities do prison gangs engage in? Allow students to
answer.
Answer 3: Assault, battery, sexual assault, rape, murder, smuggling, drug sales,
rioting, bootlegging, networking, and delegation to gangs on the street.
Prison gangs pose a threat because of their role in the transportation and distribution
of narcotics. Prison gangs are a critical link between drug trafficking organizations
and street/motorcycle gangs. Typically prison gangs are more powerful on the state
level rather than in the federal penal system. Prison gangs are known to be smaller
than street gangs.
Question 4: Do you know of any prison gangs? Allow students to answer
Answer 4: Mexican Mafia (La Eme) Black Guerilla Family, Aryan Brotherhood,
Texas Syndicate, and Dead Man Incorporated
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Facts about each prison gang:
Mexican Mafia – Also known as La Eme, membership estimated at 400, it was
formed in the 1950s and mostly found in the southwestern and pacific regions. La
Eme has traditionally been composed of US-born or raised Hispanics
Black Guerilla Family – Originally known as the Black Family or the Black
Vanguard, formed in 1966 in San Quentin Prison in California. Estimated 300
member predominantly African-American males.
Aryan Brotherhood – also known as AB, a white supremacist prison gang affiliated
with the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas and the KKK. The AB gets most of their money
from moving cocaine, heroin, and other drugs throughout the prison system.
Texas Syndicate – A mostly Texas-based prison gang, that includes mostly non U.S.
born Hispanic members and does allow Caucasian members. One of the largest and
most violent prison gangs with membership estimated at 1,300.
Dead Man Incorporated – a predominately white prison gang founded in the
Maryland Correctional System with branches in many other correctional facilities
throughout the U.S. Membership estimated at 370 members.
Question 5: What do you notice about the way these gangs are formed? Allow
answers
Answer 5: They are formed based on race
Question 6: What does that mean if there are two people from different street gangs
of the same race in prison together? Allow Answers
Answer 6: They could potential be rival gang members outside of prison but
potentially friends or “homies” in prison.
Show clip from Gangland about prison gangs.
http://www.history.com/shows/gangland/videos/playlists/modern-gangs#prisongangs
Activity – Unscramble + 2 Facts
The teacher will count students off into five groups. The teacher will direct students to
separate spots where groups will meet. The students will be given a piece of paper turned
face down. Students will be instructed that on the other side of the paper there is a
scrambled up word; that, when unscrambled, spell out the name of one of the five prison
gangs discussed. Once the team figures out what prison gang is scrambled one person
must write the name correctly and write at two facts about the prison gang they
unscrambled. The first team to raise their paper when finished and correct will win. Each
team will read the prison gang they unscrambled and two facts to the class regardless of
where they finished.
Process Questions
What did we learn about?
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Prison gangs
What did you learn about gangs in prison?
Why might someone join a gang in prison?
How are they formed?
Race
Now what are you going to do with this information?
What do you think should be done so that prison gangs aren’t as strong as they are?
Evaluation:
The students will be evaluated based on their participation in class discussions,
unscramble activity, and a mandatory homework assignment based on the content
students were presented with and were expected to take notes on.
Alternative Plan:
If computer does not work or videos are no longer available continue with lecture
and write key points and notes on the board. Without the videos the expected run time of
the class will inevitably be shortened, allow time at the end of the class for students to
discuss thoughts and views or ask questions at random.
Adaptations:
 Hearing impaired students will sit near speakers of computer, or students will be
asked to project voices louder. Important points made verbally will be written on
the board.
 Visually impaired students will sit in the front of class and given copies of all
notes.
 Students with IEPs will have needs fulfilled
If aides are needed for students with ADHD they will be given copies of all notes
Anticipated Questions:
 Do you know anyone in a prison gang?

Are prison gangs linked to the Cartels?

What should I do if I have a relative in a prison gang?
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References:
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/ocgs/gangs/prison.html
http://www.history.com/shows/gangland/videos/playlists/modern-gangs#prisongangs