Gang Management

Question 0

Security Threat Group I

Answer 0

A term used to identify and prioritize the level of threat the group presents that affects the safety and security of the institution and the public safety. STG-I designation will be reserved for STGs that pose the greater of these threats. STG-I designations include, but may not be limited to, traditional prison gangs or similar disruptive groups or gangs that the department has determined to have a history and propensity for violence and/or influence over subservient STGs.

Question 1

Security Threat Group

Answer 1

any ongoing formal or informal organization, as- sociation or group of three or more persons which has a common name or identifying sign or symbol whose members and/or associates, individually or collectively, engage or have engaged, on behalf of that organization, association or group, in two or more acts which include, planning, organizing threatening, financing, soliciting, or committing unlawful acts or acts of misconduct classified as serious pursuant to section 3315.

Question 2

Prison Gangs Defined

Answer 2

A prison gang is defined as any gang which originated and has its roots within the CDCR or any other custodial system.

Question 3

Disruptive Groups Defined

Answer 3

A disruptive group is defined as any gang, other than a prison gang.

Question 4

Designated Prison Gangs

Answer 4

• Aryan Brotherhood (AB).
• Black Guerrilla Family (BGF).
• Mexican Mafia (EME).
• Nazi Low Rider (NLR).
• Northern Structure (NS).
• Nuestra Familia (NF).
• Texas Syndicate (TS).

Question 5

Documenting Prison Gang Affiliation

Answer 5

If, after the thorough investigation and documentation prescribed by DOM, Chapter 6, Article 2, the gang investigator concludes the inmate/parolee is gang affiliated (active or inactive) or has had a change in gang status, the investigator shall complete a CDC Form 812-A, Notice of Critical Case Information - Prison Gang Identification

Question 6

Documenting Disruptive Group Affiliation

Answer 6

If, after the thorough investigation and documentation prescribed by DOM, Chapter 6, Article 2, the gang investigator concludes the inmate/parolee is gang affiliated (active or inactive) or has had a change in gang status, the investigator shall complete a CDC Form 812-B, Notice of Critical Case Information - Disruptive Group Identification.

Question 7

Documenting Gang Affiliation on A CDC Form 128-B

Answer 7

The gang investigator shall also document in narrative fashion on a CDC Form 128-B, General Chrono, the inmate’s/parolee’s gang affiliation, category of involvement, and specify each original, independent source item of information contained in the central file, which was relied upon to support the conclusion. A CDC Form 128-B shall also be used to document insufficient evidence to support a conclusion of gang affiliation. Documentation shall begin with a definite conclusion of finding based upon the evidence. It shall not be inconclusive or equivocal. The completed CDC Form 128-B shall be retained in the inmate’s/parolee’s central file and the inmate/parolee shall be given a copy. The investigator shall also assure the inmate/parolee has received copies of all non-confidential documents used in the validation. All confidential information used in the validation shall be disclosed to the inmate via CDC Form 1030, Confidential Information Disclosure Form. This documentation shall be disclosed to the inmate/parolee per the procedure defined in this DOM Article.

Question 8

Example Language for CDC Form 128-B, Re: Gang Affiliation Conclusion

Answer 8

After a thorough review of the evidence, I have concluded that inmate/parolee John DOE, E-00000, is an associate (etc.) of the prison gang/disruptive group “X.” This is supported by: (1) “Item”; (2) “Item”; etc.

Question 9

Affiliate

Answer 9

individual offenders validated as members, associates, or monitored status who
are connected or interact with a certified or recognized Security Threat Group.

Question 10

Security Threat Group Administrative Directive

Answer 10

is an administrative order, approved by the Secretary (or designee) of the CDCR, certifying a group’s threat to the safety of staff, offenders, and the security of the institution based on a documented history of, and future propensity for violence.

Question 11

Security Threat Group (STG) Associate

Answer 11

any offender or any person who, based on documented evidence, is involved periodically or regularly with the members of a STG. STG Associates will be identified through the validation process.

Question 12

Security Threat Group (STG) Behavior

Answer 12

is any documented behavior that promotes, furthers, or assists a STG. This includes, but is not limited to conduct of any person that leads to and includes the commission of an unlawful act and/or violation of policy demonstrating a nexus to a STG.

Question 13

Security Threat Group (STG) Member

Answer 13

any offender or any person who, based on documented evidence, has been accepted into membership by a STG. STG Members will be identified through the validation process.

Question 14

Security Threat Group (STG) Suspect

Answer 14

any offender or any person who, based on documented evidence, is involved periodically or regularly with the members or associates of a STG. The STG suspect is tracked by STG Investigative staff pending validation. Suspects have attained more than one but less than ten points of validation as described in Section 3378.2(b).

Question 15

Security Threat Group (STG) Unit Classification Committee

Answer 15

is a unit classification committee responsible for making the determination of an inmate’s validation status, reviewing Dropout status affiliate’s new disciplinary behavior to determine nexus to STG, and reviewing information/intelligence regarding inmate-involved incidents occurring outside CDCR jurisdiction to ensure disciplinary processes and/or formal documentation were applied.

Question 16

Step Down Program (SDP)

Answer 16

is a five-step program that provides inmates placed in a Security Housing Unit (SHU) due to STG validation and/or documented STG behaviors, with a program expectation of discontinuing participation in STG related activities and includes increased incentives to promote positive behavior with the ultimate goal of release from the SHU.

Question 17

Step Down Program, Step 1 and 2 SHU

Answer 17

the first two of five steps in the step down process designated for housing of STG affiliates determined to pose the greatest threat to the safety of staff, inmates, and the public, in addition to the security of the prison based upon intelligence and/or confirmed STG behaviors. Steps 1 and 2 are designed to be completed in 12 months each, but may be accelerated at the 180 day review.

Question 18

Step Down Program, Step 3 and 4 SHU

Answer 18

are steps in the five-step program intended to begin reintegration of the STG affiliates by offering program and privilege incentives within a controlled setting and monitoring of program progress for housing of STG affiliates who have completed steps 1 and 2 and continue to pose a threat to the safety of staff, inmates, and the public.

Question 19

Step Down Program, Step 5

Answer 19

Upon successful completion of all four SHU steps, as determined by Institutional Classification Committee (ICC) and based on individual inmate behavior, the inmate will be endorsed to General Population or similar specialized housing for a 12-month observation period know as Step 5.

Question 20

Transitional Housing Unit

Answer 20

is a general population program designated for the observation phase of the Debriefing process. This program houses those inmates that are in the second phase of the debriefing process.

Question 21

Validation

Answer 21

the formal and objective process for identifying and documenting STG affiliates.

Question 22

DRB

Answer 22

Departmental review board

Question 23

OCS

Answer 23

Office of Correctional Safety