9:59am

Sun July 24, 2011
Statehouse News

Jailers Work to Control Street Gangs

Credit Pete Rodman / Bowling Green Daily News
An inmate in the Simpson County Jail displays a Crip tattoo. Jailers pay attention to gang tattoos so they can keep rival gang members away from each other to prevent gang violence in county jails.

Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, MS-13, Gangster Disciples, Asian Pride - jailers work to quickly identify inmates who claim allegiance to these street gangs and others for the safety of the keepers, as well as the kept. Decades-old gang rivalries that span from the East Coast to West Coast have created housing and safety concerns for southcentral Kentucky jailers. Jailers are constantly on the alert to prevent gang-related violence. “You have to make every effort to do everything you can to keep the facility safe,” Warren County Jailer Jackie Strode said.