Prison gangs share organizational similarities. They have a structure with one person who is usually designated as the leader and who oversees a council of members that makes the gang's final decisions. Like some street counterparts, prison gangs have a creed or motto, unique symbols of membership, and a constitution prescribing group behavior. Prison gangs dominate the drug business, and many researchers argue prison gangs are also responsible for most prison violence. Adverse effects of gangs on prison quality of life have motivated correctional responses to crime, disorder, and rule violations, and many correctional agencies have developed policies to control prison gang-affiliated inmates. The authors review the history of and correctional mechanisms to cope with prison gangs. A gang suppression strategy based on segregation, lockdowns, and transfers is described as the most common response to prison gangs. The authors argue that, given the complexity of prison gangs, effective prison gang intervention should include improved strategies for community re-entry and more collaboration between correctional agencies and university gang researchers on prison gang management policies and practices. 28 references