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Friday, June 26, 1998
Legislators look at prison gangs
AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas prison gangs are a growing menace outside
prison walls, authorities say.
"Drug trafficking, weapons, smuggling, murder -- they're
into it all, said Sammy Buentello, chief expert on prison gangs
for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
"I don't think there's a large city in Texas that hasn't
experienced violence related to these prison groups. It is a real
and growing problem," Buentello said.
A special state Senate committee on Thursday heard testimony
about prison gangs, with its chairman echoing concerns that they
are causing problems outside the walls.
"Criminal street gangs typically receive much of the focus
when addressing gang-related crime, however, we must not overlook
the influence that prison gangs have on crime in our communities
and in our penal institutions," said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas,
chairman of the panel.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that investigators believe
two recent murders in Austin may have been ordered by one prison
gang.
"These new gangs have shown themselves to be extremely
organized in comparison to their predecessors as well as being
more ruthless, coldhearted and loyal to their group," said
a law enforcement memo quoted by the newspaper.
At present, Buentello said, there are seven organized gangs
and several small groups in Texas prisons with about 4,900 confirmed
members. That's less than 4 percent of Texas' 142,000 convicts,
but far more than the 400 that prison officials identified 12
years ago.
West's aides said lawmakers will scrutinize whether a state
law may be helping spread the influence of prison gangs by requiring
that convicts be paroled back to the county where they were convicted
and whether anti-gang programs are working.
The Senate committee will make recommendations to be considered
by the 1999 Legislature, which convenes in January.
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Copyright ©1998,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps. Publications
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