STG is a TDCJ acronym for “security threat group.” TDCJ defines the term as “Any group of offenders TDCJ reasonably believes poses a threat to the physical safety of other offenders and staff due to the very nature of said Security Threat Group.
It is important to note that a “threat” to some is a “family” and safety to others.
TDCJ currently identifies these groups as STGs:
- Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT)
- Aryan Circle (AC)
- Barrio Azteca
- Bloods
- Crips
- Hermanos De Pistoleros Latinos
- Mexican Mafia (EME)
- Partido Revolucionario Mexicanos
- Raza Unida
- Texas Chicano Brotherhood
- Texas Mafia
- Texas Syndicate
TPI often uses “prison association” or “prison organization” to refer to prison groups in general as a less stigmatizing general term and because not all groups may be officially recognized under TDCJ’s STG classification.
Groups that are common in Texas but are not classified as STGs include (according to this source): Tango / Tango Blast (regional groups for Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and West Texas), 18th Street Gang, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Mandingo Warriors, Mara Salvatrucha, Mexicles, Surenos, Tri-City Bombers, and White Knights.