The following letter was written by an inmate of the Westgate Correctional Facility and addressed to the editor.

As of later, much interest has been focused upon the existence and activities of assemblages of young men commonly referred to as gangs. That such a phenomenon exists locally is indeed time. However, let us not allow form to blind us to substance in our quest to understand this proliferation of sociopathic group activity.

Whilst I have never been a member of a putative gang, I am incarcerated as a result of a conflict with one of these enigmatic consortiums and I have developed an intense interest in the substantial underpinnings of illegitimate group activity.

My empirical observations derive from pre-incarceration experiences and the scrutiny of microcosmic gatherings of similar persuasion within the sterile confinement of the prison environment. These two unique perspectives have imbued me with an outlook upon this species of collective socialisation which I shall now endeavour to set out with clarity, at the risk of attracting both the criticisms of proponents of absolute responsibility for individual actions, and the venom of many members of these infamous delegations. But first a preliminary matter of form versus substance.

The term "gang'', I would submit, sits incongruously with the wage of that term in a technical sense in the context of our localised circumstances. It is important to recognise that the term "gang'', in its original sense, is usually associated with the American phenomenon of which our provincial version is a shadowy facsimile. The American counterpart of our local gatherings characteristically exhibits a more formalised organisational structure replete with clear and distinct hierarchies whose primary objective tends to be the cultivation of material benefit on a large and pervasive scale. Ancillary to this is the peripheral benefit of belonging to a unique social ethos with its own rules and lawmakers thereby manifesting a sense of control, power and acceptance.

Our local groups bear some resemblance to the latter characteristic, but they lack the formalised sophistication of the former. However, there is a commonality of socio-cultural basis in that both are comprised almost exclusively of individuals from low income families and are drawn from a pool of mainly adolescents or young adults. But it is here that the similarities diverge and one begins to see our local collectives as merely a mimicked species of a more refined genus. The primary polarising feature of these two groups is this: in the United States the neighbourhoods and harsh realities which produce gang behaviour render it almost a necessity of survival that one be affiliated with a gang; whilst locally membership of a posse, group, crew, etc. is more an egoistic self-defence mechanism that anything else.

It is a fact of life here in Bermuda that he who can fashion himself most identically with the male heroes exalted and lionised by the popular culture mediums of rap, reggae and uniquely nauseating black hip-hop films is considered to be a trendsetter, a "real niggah'', one worthy of respect and admiration. It is this patent lack of individuality which draws many young local men into conformity with, and membership of, these so-called "gangs''.

The failure of these men to develop the self-confidence and self-esteem which is the hallmark of individuality and self-actualisation is what initially precipitates the desire to be included amongst these clusters of individuals whose dominant proclivity is the pursuance of anti-social behaviour. The behaviour itself is a conduit to recognition and acceptance. Essentially, fear of being compelled to stand on one's own separate principles, fear of acknowledging one's weaknesses and frailties drives them into the obscurity and pretentious camouflage of the group. I have observed this spinal impotency both out side and, with greater clarity, within these walls. The size of the whole obscures the deficiencies of the pants; yet the Emperor's new clothes remain nothing more than a transparent, shimmering veil.

Additionally, there is an element to this dilemma for which society as a whole must bear the blame.

Most of these "gang'' members are the progeny of working-class families who have struggled against decades of exclusion and elitism. They have watched intensely as their parents and forebears have worked hard and arduously at fulfilling the "bootstrap ideology'' only to see them nonetheless continue to catch hell from the cradle to the grave. They see no reason for conformity within this fallacy that we insist on labelling as an egalitarian, democratic society.

They may not be able to descriptively articulate the tenets which have guided their elders in the struggle for recognition and access to equal opportunity, but they have nonetheless inherited its righteous rage and passion; whilst being left to their own devices to formulate a methodology by which to effect its socialised expression. This has directly contributed to the genies of this band of modern day outlaws who refuse to enter into a mainstream community which has amply manifested its indifference to their presence. Unless, of course, they capture your attention in some extreme way.

A stabbing here, a shooting there, a few severe beatings and presto! You're paying attention to them now aren't you? And so they will continue living on the fringes, entering only periodically on excursions of necessity and defiance. The street provides them with their education, and Nihilism is their chosen religion. They will continue to circle on the outside of the arena until our nation as a whole makes a concerted decision to allow them to share equally in the fruits of our successes. Only then will they lay down their arms and decide to come in from the cold to the warmth of civil, lawful and amicable community living.

WRITING FROM PRISON Westgate Correctional Facility