In 2013, members of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) prison gang were indicted on racketeering charges

In 2013, members of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) prison gang were indicted on racketeering charges. The gang infiltrated several detention centers in Maryland and conspired with some corrupt correctional officers to distribute drugs and launder money. A high-ranking member of the gang, Travon White, was captured on a phone call saying, “This is my jail. You understand that? I’m dead serious. . . . I make every final call in this jail” (U.S. Attorney’s Office, 2013, para. 16). An FBI agent who worked on the case echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the BGF prison gang seemed to be running the detention centers.

In this Discussion, you examine the differences between prison gangs and street gangs, factors that contribute to the proliferation of prison gangs, and challenges related to combating prison gangs.

Reference:
U.S. Attorney’s Office. (2013, April 23). Thirteen correctional officers among 25 Black Guerilla Family gang members and associates indicted on federal racketeering charges. Retrieved from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/baltimore/press-...

Post a response that addresses the following:

• What are the differences between prison gangs and street gangs?
• What factors contribute to the proliferation of gangs in prisons?
• Why is it challenging to combat prison gangs?