Degree Name
Master of Public Administration
Department or Program
Political Science
Advisor
Burnside, Randolph
Abstract
In an effort to ascertain ways to combat the indoctrination of non-violent, low-level offenders into prison gangs, this study looks at a synthesis of previous research on gang management strategies in conjunction with interviews given to a select group of Southern Illinois prison administrators. It is concluded that the best way to keep these vulnerable offenders away from the influence of prison gangs is to quickly separate the two groups as best as possible. This study is admittedly modest in scope, but the findings are couched within current literature looking to determine effective ways to combat the spread of prison gang propaganda and provides a relatively useful framework for future studies on the subject.