Gangsterism Grips: Wrecking lives inside and outside prison
Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.
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Gangsterism has a damaging impact on people’s lives, both inside and outside prison. It leads to prison violence, a rapid increase in murder cases in communities, and sets a bad example for children. It also contributes to criminal activities like drug dealing and other unlawful behaviour.
How gangsterism affects lives in prison
In prison, gangsterism creates many problems, including the intimidation of non-gang inmates. Prisons in South Africa are often overcrowded, and non-gang members suffer the most. During my time in prison, non-gang members were physically abused, forced into violence, and made to do things against their will.
Retaliation led to further beatings, affecting many innocent inmates. Conflicts between gang members also resulted in stabbings and killings, causing loss of life within the prison. Gangsterism also brought illegal activities into prison, such as drug trafficking and phone smuggling.
These criminal activities had consequences, with inmates receiving longer sentences for gang-related offenses. Innocent inmates lived in fear, and some were forced to join gangs for protection, leading to more gang recruitment.
How gangsterism affects lives outside prison
Outside of prison, gangsterism also ruins lives. In some areas, gang violence leads to the deaths of innocent people. For example, in Lavender Hill, a mother and her children were killed in gang-related violence.
Youth involved in gangs face negative consequences such as dropping out of school, unemployment, substance abuse, and crime. Children are not only victimised but also used as hitmen to kill rivals, leading to early convictions and damaged futures.
Gangs threaten community safety and destroy infrastructure, like schools and clinics. In areas like Manenberg, children cannot attend school due to shootings, and parents cannot go to work out of fear, leaving them unable to support their families. Paroled inmates often return to prison after becoming involved in gang violence and other criminal activities.
Conclusion
Gangsterism continues to affect lives inside and outside prison. Correctional services and the government must take steps to reduce gangsterism both in prisons and in society. Prisons need to address overcrowding and separate non-gang members from gang members. Additionally, more projects and recreational activities should be created to keep young people engaged and away from gangs and criminal activities.
Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE
This project in collaboration with RESTORE currently works with formerly incarcerated young men in the communities.
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