Five Percenters have claimed their rights to religious freedom have been violated. Latin Kings and Bikers have argued they were incorrectly labeled as gang members. The state has won every case, with the court repeatedly ruling the prison's need to maintain order supersedes the prisoner's constitutional rights. Inmate advocates say there never was much of a problem with gangs in New Jersey's prisons. Prison officials say about 200 inmates have denounced their gang memberships since the program started.
Officials say the unit also serves as a deterrent.
Interviews with several inmates, however, cast doubt on whether they really have renounced their membership. But in November, he broke down and said he was ready to renounce his membership. He'll go with the program. Because deep down, everybody knows that nobody is denouncing anything. Used with permission.