GUEST BLOG: Arthur Taylor – Why media are lying about gang members in prison

Proof that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Here an ill informed economist points to the rise in the prison gang population from about 1100 in 2011 to 3700 in 2017 as the explanation for most of the prison muster increase since 2011 .

Extra prisoners are nearly all gang members – that’s hardly a crisis
The new Government is deeply troubled by the 30 per cent increase in the prison muster since 2011. But nearly all those additional prisoners are gang members, who are now where they belong.

The number of gang members in prison has increased by 350 per cent since 2011; from 1051 in April 2011 to 3711 in April 2017 (see graphic). These are violent career criminals getting what they deserve.

What is important to note is that the number of prisoners without any gang affiliations has barely increased at all since 2011 – by 5 per cent, from 6020 to 6353. That is no crisis.

He says that’s not a crisis.

In fact, it IS a crisis.

Most of the additional gang members weren’t gang members before they arrived in prison! They return to society more violent than before they arrived!

Arthur Taylor is TDBs prisoner rights blogger currently in prison.