“By working together, we can mitigate this threat and keep our facilities safe and secure for staff, inmates and anyone else who enters the secured perimeter.” — Dave J. Schilling, Security Threat Group Instructor, Minnesota
Security threat groups (STGs), whether ideologically motivated or rooted in street or prison gangs, pose significant risks inside jails and prisons. These groups influence inmate behavior, coordinate violence, extort others, traffic contraband and can even manipulate staff.
To manage this threat, correctional officers must actively monitor STG behavior patterns and evolving tactics. Doing so supports intelligence-led decisions, enables early identification of threats and helps prevent recruitment and organized violence.
Communication and collaboration — across staff roles and with external agencies — are vital to maintaining institutional safety.
Scope of the threat: Gang activity behind bars
According to the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC), an estimated 230,000 gang members are incarcerated in U.S. federal and state prisons. These individuals represent an ongoing threat to staff, inmates and facility operations. NGIC also reported in 2011 that 1.4 million individuals nationwide were affiliated with gangs, including street and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Gang-related conflict inside prison often stems from external criminal networks and internal disputes — both of which demand preemptive strategies.
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How to prepare your agency for STG threats
Preventive measures are key. Agencies should have policies and structures in place to monitor, document and investigate STG activity:
- Train staff on STG indicators and behaviors
- Establish and enforce STG policies and procedures
- Create a gang intelligence unit connected to county, state and federal gang teams
- Train classification officers on proper gang member categorization
- Photograph and interview new arrivals to document tattoos and gang identifiers
- Investigate all reports of gang activity or contraband from front-line officers promptly
Case in point: Averted riot at Polk Correctional Institution
In Florida, an officer escorting two inmates was warned by other inmates: “You are going to be real sick tomorrow, you won’t be able to make it on the compound.” She reported it immediately. Middle management launched an investigation and uncovered plans for a gang riot over owed drug money. The facility was locked down, preventing violence.
Why documentation matters
Documentation supports investigations, enables evidence sharing and strengthens legal outcomes. It also contributes to broader intelligence efforts across agencies.
Key reasons to document STG activity and contraband:
- Enables sharing with external agencies
- Strengthens court proceedings
- Aids national gang data collection
- Preserves evidence integrity
- May help prevent future incidents and save lives
Building an STG investigation process
Front-line correctional officers are the first line of defense in STG detection. Cell searches may uncover coded notes, gang symbols, contraband or communication tools. Immediate reporting and evidence preservation are essential.
Supervisors must make rapid, informed decisions to protect facility safety, including ordering lockdowns or notifying the STG unit and Inspector General.
Investigation strategies include:
- Officer and inmate interviews
- Use of vetted informants (with prosecutor approval)
- Monitoring phone calls and mail
- Analysis of seized phones and contact networks
- Tracking inmate and outside financial accounts
- Monitoring of gang graffiti, tattoos and sign language
- Reviewing classification, court and disciplinary records
- Collaboration with law enforcement, probation, parole and gang units
Final note: From the yard to the streets
Gang activity in prison doesn’t stay inside the fence. It’s linked to external criminal networks that impact community safety. A consistent, documented and intelligence-led approach — driven by alert officers and supported by leadership — is essential for protecting staff, inmates and the public.
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