Introduction
Correctional institutions exist to provide individuals convicted of a crime with a secure and safe place to serve their sentence.1 Convicts suffer penalty and imprisonment for violating societal laws. Imprisonment means limited freedom during confinement. Correctional institutions main goals are to manage discipline, rehabilitation, punishment, reintegration, and certify that individuals complete their incarceration period.2
In the United States, there are two justice systems, juvenile and criminal.3 According to the National Gang Center, the juvenile court places individuals under the age of 18 in a detention center. Although juvenile detention has a prison-like atmosphere to house …show more content…
In addition, the term “detention” is synonymous with “correctional institution” in the context of correctional officers’ responsibilities.
The term gang means individuals with a common interest, common leadership, and common bonds in order to achieve a purpose.15 Those purposes could include illegal activity and/ or taking control of an enterprise, territory, or facility. Kissner and Pyrooz pointed out that gang practices (i.e., gang symbols, graffiti, initiations, and missions) were a cause for considerable concern because of the increasing numbers of gang members in prisons.16 The most up-to-date estimate of gang members in the United States stands between 782,000 to 1 million.17
As of 2013, the race/ethnicity of gang members in the United States is as follows: Hispanics – 45%; African American – 35%; Caucasians – 7%; and all others – 7%.18 Raphael suggested that incarcerated juvenile gang members align themselves with gang members in the adult prison (i.e., delinquent youth and adult criminals). Together, they form a larger group, which