Philippine Prison Gangs: Control or Chaos?

摘要: Abstract This paper examines whether an unofficial strategy of using prison gangs for control in the Philippines correctional system could ever be considered effective and appropriate management tool. Contemporary literature on usually deems them as detrimental to inmate’s prospects rehabilitation disruptive smooth running penal institutions. However, from ethnographic research conducted by authors New Bilibid Prison (NBP), largest maximum security Philippines, alternative perspective is provided. Based authors’ unique access into Philippine system, they argue that this have become functionally important both inmates administrators. Despite serious rule violations, NBP provide a self-governance, order network social support overcrowded deprived conditions. Keywords